Sunday, March 04, 2012
Second Sunday of Lent

First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:

Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18
Psalm 116:10, 15-19
Romans 8:31-34
Mark 9:2-10

Irrational feeding darkens the soul and makes it unfit for spiritual experiences.

-- St. Thomas Aquinas

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

Mar 04, Invitatory for Sunday of the 2nd week of Lent

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II:
Antiphon: 1043
Psalm: 1044

Christian Prayer:
Antiphon: 687
Psalm: 688

Lord, open my lips.
– And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Ant. Come, let us worship Christ the Lord, who for our sake endured temptation and suffering.

Psalm 95

Come, let us sing to the Lord
and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.
Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving
and sing joyful songs to the Lord.

Ant. Come, let us worship Christ the Lord, who for our sake endured temptation and suffering.

The Lord is God, the mighty God,
the great king over all the gods.
He holds in his hands the depths of the earth
and the highest mountains as well
He made the sea; it belongs to him,
the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands.

Ant. Come, let us worship Christ the Lord, who for our sake endured temptation and suffering.

Come, then, let us bow down and worship,
bending the knee before the Lord, our maker,
For he is our God and we are his people,
the flock he shepherds.

Ant. Come, let us worship Christ the Lord, who for our sake endured temptation and suffering.

Today, listen to the voice of the Lord:
Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did in the wilderness,
when at Meriba and Massah they challenged me and provoked me,
Although they had seen all of my works.

Ant. Come, let us worship Christ the Lord, who for our sake endured temptation and suffering.

Forty years I endured that generation.
I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray
and they do not know my ways.
So I swore in my anger,
“They shall not enter into my rest.”

Ant. Come, let us worship Christ the Lord, who for our sake endured temptation and suffering.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be fore ever, Amen

Ant. Come, let us worship Christ the Lord, who for our sake endured temptation and suffering.

Mar 04, Office of Readings for Sunday of the 2nd week of Lent

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II:
Ordinary: 1045
Proper of Seasons: 147
Psalter: Sunday, Week II, 1213

Office of Readings for the Second Sunday of Lent

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

HYMN

To Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love
All pray in their distress;
And to these virtues of delight
Return their thankfulness.

For Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love
Is God, our father dear,
And Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love
Is Man, his child and care.

For Mercy has a human heart,
Pity a human face,
And Love, the human form divine,
And Peace, the human dress.

Then every man, of every clime,
That prays in his distress,
Prays to the human form divine,
Love, Mercy, Pity, Peace.

“To Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love” performed by Choir of Girton College; Words: “The Divine Image” by William Blake (1757-1827)

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Lord, our God, in splendor and majesty you are clothed, wrapped in light as in a robe.

Psalm 104
Hymn to God the Creator
To be in Christ means being a completely new creature. Everything of the old is gone, now everything is made anew (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I

Bless the Lord, my soul!
Lord God, how great you are,
clothed in majesty and glory,
wrapped in light as in a robe!

You stretch out the heavens like a tent.
Above the rains you build your dwelling.
You make the clouds your chariot,
and walk on the wings of the wind;
you make the winds your messengers
and flashing fire your servants.

You founded the earth on its base,
to stand firm from age to age.
You wrapped it with the ocean like a cloak:
the waters stood higher than the mountains.

At your threat they took to flight;
at the voice of your thunder they fled.
They rose over the mountains and flowed down
to the place which you had appointed.
You set the limits they might not pass
lest they return to cover the earth.

You make springs gush forth in the valleys:
they flow in between the hills.
They give drink to all the beasts of the field;
the wild-asses quench their thirst.
On their banks dwell the birds of heaven;
from the branches they sing their song.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Lord, our God, in splendor and majesty you are clothed, wrapped in light as in a robe.

Ant. 2 The Lord has brought forth bread from the earth, and wine to give warmth to men’s hearts.

II

From your dwelling you water the hills;
earth drinks its fill of your gift.
You make the grass grow for the cattle
and the plants to serve man’s needs,

that he may bring forth bread from the earth
and wine to cheer man’s heart;
oil, to make him glad
and bread to strengthen man’s heart.

The trees of the Lord drink their fill,
the cedars he planted on Lebanon;
there the birds build their nests:
on the tree-top the stork has her home.
The goats find a home on the mountains
and rabbits hide in the rocks.

You made the moon to mark the months;
the sun knows the time for its setting.
When you spread the darkness it is night
and all the beasts of the forest creep forth.
The young lions roar for their prey
and ask their food from God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The Lord has brought forth bread from the earth, and wine to give warmth to men’s hearts.

Ant. 3 The Lord looked upon all he had made and saw that it was very good.

III

How many are your works, O Lord!
In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your riches.

There is the sea, vast and wide,
with its moving swarms past counting,
living things great and small.
The ships are moving there
and the monsters you made to play with.

All of these look to you
to give them their food in due season.
You give it, they gather it up:
you open your hand, they have their fill.

You hide your face, they are dismayed;
you take back your spirit, they die,
returning to the dust from which they came.
You send forth your spirit, they are created;
and you renew the face of the earth.

May the glory of the Lord last forever!
May the Lord rejoice in his works!
He looks on the earth and it trembles;
the mountains send forth smoke at his touch.

I will sing to the Lord all my life,
make music to my God while I live.
May my thoughts be pleasing to him.
I find my joy in the Lord.
Let sinners vanish from the earth
and the wicked exist no more.
Bless the Lord, my soul.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Father, as you made springs in valleys to form streams between mountains, so you made living streams of grace flow from the Apostles that their teaching may bring salvation to all the nations. May we have a practical knowledge of their doctrine, be obedient to their commands, obtain remission of our sins through their prayers, and finally receive the reward of eternal happiness.

Ant. The Lord looked upon all he had made and saw that it was very good.

Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church.

The voice of the Father was heard from the cloud.
– This is my beloved Son; listen to him.

READINGS

First reading
From the book of Exodus
13:17—14:9
The crossing of the Red Sea

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the Philistines’ land, though this was the nearest; for he thought, should the people see that they would have to fight, they might change their minds and return to Egypt. Instead, he rerouted them toward the Red Sea by way of the desert road. In battle array the Israelites marched out of Egypt. Moses also took Joseph’s bones along, for Joseph had made the Israelites swear solemnly that, when God should come to them, they would carry his bones away with them.

Setting out from Succoth, they camped at Etham near the edge of the desert. The Lord preceded them, in the daytime by means of a column of cloud to show them the way, and at night by means of a column of fire to give them light. Thus they could travel both day and night. Neither the column of cloud by day nor the column of fire by night ever left its place in front of the people.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to turn about and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. You shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, just opposite, by the sea. Pharaoh will then say, ‘The Israelites are wandering about aimlessly in the land. The desert has closed in on them.’ Thus will I make Pharaoh so obstinate that he will pursue them. Thus will I receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.”

This the Israelites did. When it was reported to the king of Egypt that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants changed their minds about them. “What have we done!” they exclaimed. “Why, we have released Israel from our service!” So Pharaoh made his chariots ready and mustered his soldiers—six hundred first-class chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt, with warriors on them all. So obstinate had the Lord made Pharaoh that he pursued the Israelites even while they were marching away in triumph. The Egyptians, then, pursued them; Pharaoh’s whole army, his horses, chariots and charioteers, caught up with them as they lay encamped by the sea, at Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.

RESPONSORY Psalm 114:1, 2; Exodus 13:21

When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a foreign land,
– Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his domain.

The Lord went before them in a pillar of cloud to show them the way.
– Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his domain.

Second reading
From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope
The law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ

The Lord reveals his glory in the presence of chosen witnesses. His body is like that of the rest of mankind, but he makes it shine with such splendor that his face becomes like the sun in glory, and his garments as white as snow.

The great reason for this transfiguration was to remove the scandal of the cross from the hearts of his disciples, and to prevent the humiliation of his voluntary suffering from disturbing the faith of those who had witnessed the surpassing glory that lay concealed.

With no less forethought he was also providing a firm foundation for the hope of holy Church. The whole body of Christ was to understand the kind of transformation that it would receive as his gift. The members of that body were to look forward to a share in that glory which first blazed out in Christ their head.

The Lord had himself spoken of this when he foretold the splendor of his coming: Then the just will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Saint Paul the apostle bore witness to this same truth when he said: I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not to be compared with the future glory that is to be revealed in us. In another place he says: You are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

This marvel of the transfiguration contains another lesson for the apostles, to strengthen them and lead them into the fullness of knowledge. Moses and Elijah, the law and the prophets, appeared with the Lord in conversation with him. This was in order to fulfill exactly, through the presence of these five men, the text which says: Before two or three witnesses every word is ratified. What word could be more firmly established, more securely based, than the word which is proclaimed by the trumpets of both old and new testaments, sounding in harmony, and by the utterances of ancient prophecy and the teaching of the Gospel, in full agreement with each other?

The writings of the two testaments support each other. The radiance of the transfiguration reveals clearly and unmistakably the one who had been promised by signs foretelling him under the veils of mystery. As Saint John says: The law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. In him the promise made through the shadows of prophecy stands revealed, along with the full meaning of the precepts of the law. He is the one who teaches the truth of prophecy through his presence, and makes obedience to the commandments possible through grace.

In the preaching of the holy Gospel all should receive a strengthening of their faith. No one should be ashamed of the cross of Christ, through which the world has been redeemed.

No one should fear to suffer for the sake of justice; no one should lose confidence in the reward that has been promised. The way to rest is through toil, the way to life is through death. Christ has taken on himself the whole weakness of our lowly human nature. If then we are steadfast in our faith in him and in our love for him, we win the victory that he has won, we receive what he has promised.

When it comes to obeying the commandments or enduring adversity, the words uttered by the Father should always echo in our ears: This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him.

RESPONSORY Hebrews 12:22, 24, 25; Psalm 95:8

You have come to Jesus, mediator of the new covenant. Do not refuse to hear him.
– If those who refused to listen to him warning them on earth did not escape punishment, much less shall we escape if we will not listen to one who warns from heaven.

Today if you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
– If those who refused to listen to him warning them on earth did not escape punishment, much less shall we escape if we will not listen to one who warns from heaven.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

O God,
who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son,
be pleased, we pray,
to nourish us inwardly by your word,
that, with spiritual sight made pure,
we may rejoice to behold your glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community)

Let us praise the Lord.
– And give him thanks.

Mar 04, Morning Prayer for Sunday of the 2nd week of Lent

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II:
Ordinary: 1049
Proper of Seasons: 151
Psalter: Sunday, Week II, 1218

Christian Prayer:
Ordinary: 689
Proper of Seasons: 292
Psalter: Sunday, Week II, 780

Morning Prayer for the Second Sunday of Lent

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

HYMN

All hail, adorèd Trinity;
All hail, eternal Unity;
O God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, ever One.

Three Persons praise we evermore,
One only God our hearts adore;
In Thy sure mercy ever kind
May we our true protection find.

O Trinity! O Unity!
Be present as we worship Thee;
And with the songs that angels sing
Unite the hymns of praise we bring.

“All hail, adored Trinity” performed by Keble College Choir; Words: Unknown author, 11th Century (Ave! Colenda Trinitas); translated from Latin to English by John Chandler, Lauda Syon, Part 1, 1857.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 The right hand of the Lord has shown its power; the right hand of the Lord has raised me up.

Psalm 118
Song of joy for salvation
This Jesus is the stone which, rejected by you builders, has become the chief stone supporting all the rest (Acts 4:11).

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
for his love endures for ever.

Let the sons of Israel say:
“His love endures for ever.”
Let the sons of Aaron say:
“His love endures for ever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say:
“His love endures for ever.”

I called to the Lord in my distress;
he answered and freed me.
The Lord is at my side; I do not fear.
what can man do against me?
The Lord is at my side as my helper;
I shall look down on my foes.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in men;
it is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.

The nations all encompassed me;
in the Lord’s name I crushed them.
They compassed me, compassed me about;
in the Lord’s name I crushed them.
They compassed me about like bees;
they blazed like a fire among thorns.
In the Lord’s name I crushed them.

I was thrust down, thrust down and falling,
but the Lord was my helper.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
he was my savior.
There are shouts of joy and victory
in the tents of the just.

The Lord’s right hand has triumphed;
his right hand raised me.
The Lord’s right hand has triumphed;
I shall not die, I shall live
and recount his deeds.
I was punished, I was punished by the Lord,
but not doomed to die.

Open to me the gates of holiness:
I will enter and give thanks.
This is the Lord’s own gate
where the just may enter.
I will thank you for you have answered
and you are my savior.

The stone which the builders rejected
has become the corner stone.
This is the work of the Lord,
a marvel in our eyes.
This day was made by the Lord;
we rejoice and are glad.

O Lord, grant us salvation;
O Lord, grant success.
Blessed in the name of the Lord
is he who comes.
We bless you from the house of the Lord;
the Lord God is our light.

Go forward in procession with branches
even to the altar.
You are my God, I thank you.
My God, I praise you.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good;
for his love endures for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Lord God, you have given us the great day of rejoicing: Jesus Christ, the stone rejected by the builders, has become the cornerstone of the Church, our spiritual home. Shed upon your Church the rays of your glory, that it may be seen as the gate of salvation open to all nations. Let cries of joy and exultation ring out from its tents, to celebrate the wonder of Christ’s resurrection.

Ant. The right hand of the Lord has shown its power; the right hand of the Lord has raised me up.

Ant. 2 Let us sing the hymn of the three young men which they sang in the fiery furnace, giving praise to God.

Canticle – Daniel 3:52-57
Let all creatures praise the Lord
The Creator… is blessed for ever (Romans 1:25).

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.

Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.

Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,
praiseworthy and glorious forever.

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Let us sing the hymn of the three young men which they sang in the fiery furnace, giving praise to God.

Ant. 3 Praise the Lord in his heavenly power.

Psalm 150
Praise the Lord
Let mind and heart be in your song: this is to glorify God with your whole self (Hesychius).

Praise God in his holy place,
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his powerful deeds,
praise his surpassing greatness.

O praise him with sound of trumpet,
praise him with lute and harp.
Praise him with timbrel and dance,
praise him with strings and pipes.

O praise him with resounding cymbals,
praise him with clashing of cymbals.
Let everything that lives and that breathes
give praise to the Lord.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Lord God, maker of heaven and earth and of all created things, you make your just ones holy and you justify sinners who confess your name. Hear us as we humbly pray to you: give us eternal joy with your saints.

Ant. Praise the Lord in his heavenly power.

READING See Nehemiah 8:9, 10

Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep; for today is holy to our Lord. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!

Sacred Silence(indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church.

RESPONSORY

Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
– Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.

You were wounded for our offenses,
– have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
– Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH

Ant. Our Lord Jesus Christ abolished death, and through the Gospel he revealed eternal life.

Luke 1:68 – 79
The Messiah and his forerunner

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Our Lord Jesus Christ abolished death, and through the Gospel he revealed eternal life.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us give glory to God, whose kindness knows no limit. Through Jesus Christ, who lives for ever to intercede for us, let us pray:
– Kindle in our hearts the fire of your love.

God of mercy, let today be a day rich in good works,
a day of generosity to all we meet.
– Kindle in our hearts the fire of your love.

From the waters of the flood you saved Noah through the ark,
from the waters of baptism raise up to new life those under instruction.
– Kindle in our hearts the fire of your love.

May we live not by bread only,
but by every word falling from your lips.
– Kindle in our hearts the fire of your love.

Help us to do away with all dissension,
so that we may rejoice in your gifts of peace and love.
– Kindle in our hearts the fire of your love.

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.

Concluding Prayer

O God,
who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son,
be pleased, we pray,
to nourish us inwardly by your word,
that, with spiritual sight made pure,
we may rejoice to behold your glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.

Mar 04, Midday Prayer for Sunday of the 2nd week of Lent

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II:
Ordinary: 1054
Proper of Seasons: 154 (Midday)
Psalter: Sunday, Week II, 1225

Midday Prayer for the Second Sunday of Lent, using the Current Psalmody

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

HYMN

O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

”How Great Thou Art” by Melinda Kirigin-Voss; Originally this was a Swedish folk melody, “O Store Gud” by Carl Boberg (1859-1940) and was translated by Stuart K. Hine in 1899.

PSALMODY

Ant. As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the sinner to die but to turn back to me and live.

Psalm 23
The Good Shepherd
The Lamb himself will be their shepherd and will lead them to the springs of living waters (Revelation 7:17).

The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit.

He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort.

You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, shepherd of your Church, you give us new birth in the waters of baptism, anoint us with saving oil, and call us to salvation at your table. Dispel the terrors of death and the darkness of error. Lead your people along safe paths, that they may rest securely in you and live for ever in your Father’s house.

Psalm 76
Thanksgiving for victory
They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven (Matthew 24:30).

I

God is made known in Judah;
in Israel his name is great.
He set up his tent in Jerusalem
and his dwelling place in Zion.
It was there he broke the flashing arrows,
the shield, the sword, the armor.

You, O Lord, are resplendent,
more majestic than the everlasting mountains.
The warriors, despoiled, slept in death;
the hands of the soldiers were powerless.
At your threat, O God of Jacob,
horse and rider lay stunned.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

II

You, you alone, strike terror.
Who shall stand when your anger is roused?
You uttered your sentence from the heavens;
the earth in terror was still
when God arose to judge,
to save the humble of the earth.

Men’s anger will serve to praise you;
its survivors surround you in joy.
Make vows to your God and fulfill them.
Let all pay tribute to him who strikes terror,
who cuts short the life of princes,
who strikes terror in the kings of the earth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Your power is awesome, Father, and wonderful is your holiness. In your presence the earth both trembles and stands still, for you shattered death’s power by the cross. Rise to help your people: give your light, and grant salvation to the meek of the earth, that they may praise your name in heaven.

Ant. As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the sinner to die but to turn back to me and live.

READING Isaiah 30:15, 18

Thus said the Lord God,
the Holy One of Israel:
By waiting and by calm you shall be saved,
in quiet and in trust your strength lies.
Yet the Lord is waiting to show you favor,
and he rises to pity you;
For the Lord is a God of justice:
blessed are all who wait for him!

Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell)
A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church.

Turn your face away from my sins.
– Blot out all my guilt.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

O God,
who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son,
be pleased, we pray,
to nourish us inwardly by your word,
that, with spiritual sight made pure,
we may rejoice to behold your glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community)

Let us praise the Lord.
– And give him thanks.

Mar 04, Evening Prayer for Sunday of the 2nd week of Lent

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II:
Ordinary: 1064
Proper of Seasons: 155
Psalter: Sunday, Week II, 1229

Christian Prayer:
Ordinary: 694
Proper of Seasons: tbd
Psalter: Sunday, Week II, tbd

Evening Prayer II for the Second Sunday of Lent

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

HYMN

Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter every trembling heart.

Come, almighty to deliver,
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.

Finish then thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee:
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.

“Love divine all loves excelling” by Gloucester Cathedral Choir; Words: Charles Wesley, 1747. Music: John Zundel, 1870

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 In holy splendor the Lord will send forth your mighty scepter from Zion.

Psalm 110:1-5, 7
The Messiah, king and priest
Christ’s reign will last until all his enemies are made subject to him (1 Corinthians 15:25).

The Lord’s revelation to my Master:
“Sit on my right:
your foes I will put beneath your feet.”

The Lord will wield from Zion
your scepter of power:
rule in the midst of all your foes.

A prince from the day of your birth
on the holy mountains;
from the womb before the dawn I begot you.

The Lord has sworn an oath he will not change.
“You are a priest for ever,
a priest like Melchizedek of old.”

The Master standing at your right hand
will shatter kings in the day of his great wrath.

He shall drink from the stream by the wayside
and therefore he shall lift up his head.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Almighty God, bring the kingdom of Christ, your anointed one, to its fullness. May the perfect offering of your Son, eternal priest of the new Jerusalem, be offered in every place to your name, and make all nations a holy people for you.

Ant. In holy splendor the Lord will send forth your mighty scepter from Zion.

Ant. 2 We worship the one true God who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 115
Praise of the true God
You have renounced idol worship to serve the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

Not to us, Lord, not to us,
but to your name give the glory
for the sake of your love and your truth,
lest the heathen say: “Where is their God?”

But our God is in the heavens;
he does whatever he wills.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.

They have mouths but they cannot speak;
they have eyes but they cannot see;
they have ears but they cannot hear;
they have nostrils but they cannot smell.

With their hands they cannot feel;
with their feet they cannot walk.
No sound comes from their throats.
Their makers will come to be like them
and so will all who trust in them.

Sons of Israel, trust in the Lord;
he is their help and their shield.
Sons of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
he is their help and their shield.

You who fear him, trust in the Lord;
he is their help and their shield.
He remembers us, and he will bless us;
he will bless the sons of Israel.
He will bless the sons of Aaron.

The Lord will bless those who fear him,
the little no less than the great:
to you may the Lord grant increase,
to you and all your children.

May you be blessed by the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
The heavens belong to the Lord
but the earth he has given to men.

The dead shall not praise the Lord,
nor those who go down into the silence.
But we who live bless the Lord
now and for ever. Amen.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Father, creator and ruler of heaven and earth, you made man in your likeness to subdue the earth and master it, and to recognize the work of your hands in created beauty. Grant that your children, thus surrounded on all sides by signs of your presence, may live continually in Christ, praising you through him and with him.

Ant. We worship the one true God who made heaven and earth.

Ant. 3 God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all.

Canticle – 1 Peter 2:21-24
The willing acceptance of his passion by Christ, the servant of God

Christ suffered for you,
and left you an example
to have you follow in his footsteps.

He did no wrong;
no deceit was found in his mouth.
When he was insulted,
he returned no insult.

When he was made to suffer,
he did not counter with threats.
Instead he delivered himself up
to the One who judges justly.

In his own body
he brought your sins to the cross,
so that all of us, dead to sin,
could live in accord with God’s will.
By his wounds you were healed.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all.

READING 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

While all the runners in the stadium take part in the race, the award goes to one man. In that case, run so as to win! Athletes deny themselves all sorts of things. They do this to win a crown of leaves that withers, but we a crown that is imperishable.

Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church.

RESPONSORY

Listen to us, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against you.
– Listen to us, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against you.

Christ Jesus, hear our humble petitions,
– for we have sinned against you.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
– Listen to us, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against you.

CANTICLE OF MARY

Ant. Tell no one about the vision you have seen until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.

Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Tell no one about the vision you have seen until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us give thanks continually to Christ, our teacher and our head, who came to serve and to do good to all. In humility and confidence let us ask him:
– Come, Lord, to visit your family.

Lord, be present to the bishops and priests of your Church, who share your role as head and shepherd,
may they lead your people to the Father under your guidance.
– Come, Lord, to visit your family.

May your angel be with all who travel,
to keep them safe in soul and body.
– Come, Lord, to visit your family.

Teach us to serve the needs of others,
and to be like you, who came to serve, not to be served.
– Come, Lord, to visit your family.

Grant that in the human family, brother may always help brother,
so that, with your assistance, it may be a city compact and strong.
– Come, Lord, to visit your family.

Have mercy on all the dead,
bring them to the vision of your glory.
– Come, Lord, to visit your family.

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.

Concluding Prayer

O God,
who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son,
be pleased, we pray,
to nourish us inwardly by your word,
that, with spiritual sight made pure,
we may rejoice to behold your glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.

Mar 04, Night Prayer for Sunday of the 2nd week of Lent

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours Vol II:
Page 1628

Christian Prayer:
Page 1037

Night Prayer after Evening Prayer II in Lent

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Examination of conscience:

We are called to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men, in our hearts and in our minds, in our actions and inactions. To do so, it is vital that we examine our conscience daily and to ask for God’s mercy as we fall short and to ask for His strength to do better.

Kýrie, eléison
– Kýrie, eléison

Christé, eléison
– Christé, eléison

Kýrie, eléison
– Kýrie, eléison

HYMN

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need thy presence every passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight, and tears not bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

“Abide With Me” by Norwich Cathedral Choir; Text: Henry F. Lyte, 1793-1847; Music: W.H. Monk, 1823-1889; Tune: EVENTIDE, Meter: 10 10.10 10

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Night holds no terrors for me sleeping under God’s wings.

Psalm 91
Safe in God’s sheltering care
I have given you the power to tread upon serpents and scorpions (Luke 10:19).

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
and abides in the shade of the Almighty
says to the Lord: “My refuge,
my stronghold, my God in whom I trust!”

It is he who will free you from the snare
of the fowler who seeks to destroy you;
he will conceal you with his pinions
and under his wings you will find refuge.

You will not fear the terror of the night
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the plague that prowls in the darkness
nor the scourge that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand fall at your right,
you, it will never approach;
his faithfulness is buckler and shield.

Your eyes have only to look
to see how the wicked are repaid,
you who have said: “Lord, my refuge!”
and have made the Most High your dwelling.

Upon you no evil shall fall,
no plague approach where you dwell.
For you has he commanded his angels,
to keep you in all your ways.

They shall bear you upon their hands
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
On the lion and the viper you will tread
and trample the young lion and the dragon.

Since he clings to me in love, I will free him;
protect him for he knows my name.
When he calls I shall answer: “I am with you,”
I will save him in distress and give him glory.

With length of life I will content him;
I shall let him see my saving power.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Night holds no terrors for me sleeping under God’s wings.

READING Revelation 22:4-5

They shall see the Lord face to face and bear his name on their foreheads. The night shall be no more. They will need no light from lamps or the sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever.

RESPONSORY

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
– I commend my spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

GOSPEL CANTICLE

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Luke 2:29-32
Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Concluding Prayer

Lord,
we have celebrated today
the mystery of the rising of Christ to new life.
May we now rest in your peace,
safe from all that could harm us,
and rise again refreshed and joyful,
to praise you throughout another day.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
– Amen.

Blessing

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death.
– Amen.

Antiphon or song in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

AVE maris stella, Dei Mater alma, atque semper Virgo, felix caeli porta.	HAIL, O Star of the ocean, God’s own Mother blest, ever sinless Virgin, gate of heav’nly rest.
Sumens illud Ave Gabrielis ore, funda nos in pace, mutans Hevae nomen.	Taking that sweet Ave, which from Gabriel came, peace confirm within us, changing Eve’s name.
Solve vincula reis, profer lumen caecis mala nostra pelle, bona cuncta posce.	Break the sinners’ fetters, make our blindness day, Chase all evils from us, for all blessings pray.
Monstra te esse matrem: sumat per te preces, qui pro nobis natus, tulit esse tuus.	Show thyself a Mother, may the Word divine born for us thine Infant hear our prayers through thine.
Virgo singularis, inter omnes mites, nos culpis solutos, mites fac et castos.	Virgin all excelling, mildest of the mild, free from guilt preserve us meek and undefiled.
Vitam praesta puram, iter para tutum: ut videntes Iesum semper collaetemur.	Keep our life all spotless, make our way secure till we find in Jesus, joy for evermore.
Sit laus Deo Patri, summo Christo decus, Spiritui Sancto, tribus honor unus. Amen.	Praise to God the Father, honor to the Son, in the Holy Spirit, be the glory one. Amen.

Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir
Optional Memorial
March 4th

1904 Holy Card - unknown artist

He was the son of King Casimir IV and Queen Elizabeth, monarchs of Poland and Lithuania. In contrast to the other members of the royal court, he was a shining example of faith, piety, humilty, and chasity. He had a great love for the Eucharist and for the Virgin Mary. He is the patron saint of Poland and Lithuania.

Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by the Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003

Collect:
Almighty God, to serve you is to reign;
grant that, with the help of Saint Casimir's intercession,
we may constantly serve you in holiness and justice.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.
First Reading: Philippians 3:8-14
Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Gospel Reading: John 15:9-17
As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what His master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you. This I command you, to love one another.

Information: St. Casimir

Feast Day:	March 4
Born:	October 3, 1458(1458-10-03), Wawel, Kraków
Died:	March 4, 1484, Hrodna, Belarus
Canonized:	1522, Rome by Pope Adrian VI
Major Shrine:	Vilnius Cathedral
Patron of:	patron saint of Poland and Lithuania

Interactive Saints for Kids

St. Casimir

Feast Day: March 04
Born: 1458 : : Died: 1484

St. Casimir was born a Polish prince and was one of thirteen children. His father Casimir IV was king of Poland. With the help of his good and holy mother the queen and his loyal teacher; Casimir received a very good education.

When he was about fifteen years old noblemen from Hungary asked Casmir’s father to send his son to be their king. But Casimir refused. Instead, Casimir spent the rest of his life in prayer and study, trying to live as a good Christian.

He tried always to be cheerful and friendly with everybody. Under cover of his busy life, he did whatever he could to grow spiritually. He was very strict with himself and often fasted and slept on the floor of his room as penance.

He prayed daily, sometimes spending many hours of the night in prayer. He loved to think and pray about the passion of Jesus – this made his love for God grow strong. Casimir also loved the Blessed Virgin Mary with a special love. He showed his love by frequently singing a beautiful hymn named "Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary." His hand-written copy of it was buried with him.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, Casimir burned with a sincere and true love for God. So rich was his love and so abundantly did it fill his heart, that it flowed out from his inner spirit toward his fellow men.

As a result, nothing was more pleasant, nothing more desirable for him, than to share his belongings, and even to dedicate and give his entire self to Christ's poor, to strangers, to the sick, to those in captivity, and to all who suffer. To widows, orphans, and the afflicted, he was not only a guardian and patron but a father, son, and brother.

Casimir fell sick often, but he was brave and strong in character always doing what he knew was right. Sometimes, with great respect, he would advise his father, the king, to rule the people fairly and his father listened to him.

St. Casimir’s mother found a very beautiful and virtuous young woman who was the Emperor’s daughter, for her son to marry. But Casimir who had decided to give his heart to God alone, refused.

While in Lithuania on an assignment of service for that country, Casimir became ill with tuberculosis. He died at the age of twenty-six and is buried in the cathedral of Vilna

Catholic

Almanac:


Sunday, March 4
Liturgical Color: Violet
Today is the optional memorial of St. Casimir. St. Casimir was a prince third in line to the Polish throne. He gave up the riches of royalty and lived a life deep in prayer with a great devotion to the Blessed Mother. He died in 1484.

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for: March 04, 2012
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: O God, who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son, be pleased, we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word, that, with spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice to behold your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

ACTIVITIES

How the Devil Tempts Us

PRAYERS

Lent: March 4th

Second Sunday of Lent Old Calendar: Second Sunday of Lent

Between Moses and Elias Jesus shows forth His divine glory, thus foreshadowing His resurrection. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end of all things. Today's Mass places before us the transfigured Lord and the model toward Whom we must tend, and our own transfiguration as the goal we must attain. We attain this goal by a profound realization of our sinfulness and need of a Redeemer; by preserving purity of body and soul; by combating our passions and carnal instincts and observing the commandments and most importantly by participating in the Mass. — Excerpted from Cathedral Daily Missal

Click here for commentary on the readings in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

Stational Church

Sunday Readings
The first reading is taken from the book of Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18. Abraham had promptly obeyed the true God and come to Canaan. Now God tests him by asking him to offer his son, Isaac, in sacrifice. Abraham obeyed promptly once more, but God intervened as Abraham got ready to slay his son. He renewed His promise of a great race, through which the whole world would receive the blessing of God — divine adoption throught the Incarnation.

The second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans 8:31-34. St. Paul is emphasizing the indwelling of the Spirit in Christians and their freedom from sin, eternal death and the Jewish law. The liberating act of Christ had made them children of God, destined for glory.

The Gospel is from St. Mark 9:2-10. This vision of Christ glorified, given to these Apostles on Mount Thabor (the traditional site of Transfiguration) was surely a very special privilege, and it was one they did not forget. "We saw his glory," St. John says in his gospel, written over sixty years later. In his epistles John also refers to this privilege (1 Jn. 1:1-4). St. Peter, writing from Rome to the churches in Asia Minor about thirty years later, mentions this outstanding experience: "For we were not following fictitious tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when from out the majestic glory a voice came down to him saying: `this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.' And this voice we ourselves heard borne from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain" (2 Pt. 1:16-18).

Yes, the three Apostles were privileged and we too are sharers in their privilege. The Transfiguration of Christ is but one among many of the incontrovertible proofs of the divine Sonship of Christ which we have in the gospel narratives and in the twenty centuries-long history of the Church which he founded. Were he not divine, that Church would long since have crumbled and fallen under the many vicious assaults from outside which it has undergone, as well as from the many human weaknesses which have beset it from within. But Christ is God and the Church has his divine protection and assistance. Therefore, it will go on to the end of time to continue his work of elevating and redeeming mankind.

This enlightening glimpse of Christ's future glory—a glory in which they would share—was given to these Apostles to strengthen and encourage them in the terrible test of their faith which the passion and death of Jesus would be for them very soon. It is for a similar reason that the Church orders this story of the Transfiguration to be read to us during this season of Lent. We are or should be mortifying ourselves during this season. This mortification can earn for us a glorious and unending future life. To encourage us to continue it, we are reminded that the One we are following, the One whose voice we listen to, is none other than the Son of God. There are the voices of many false prophets shouting around us, telling us to enjoy ourselves in this life, to "eat, sleep, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die," but there is the rub—tomorrow we shall die, but where shall we go then?

Let us thank our divine Lord today, for giving this consoling and encouraging vision of his glory to his Apostles and through them to us. It was for them, and it is for us, a guarantee and a foretaste of the joys and the glory that will be ours for eternity, if we but persevere in our struggles against the world, the flesh and the devil. This struggle is not easy for our weak nature, but our loving Savior is ever beside us to "raise us up and tell us not to fear" if we but rely on him. When we are tempted to give way to our human weaknesses, or to give way under the weight of the crosses that sometimes are about to crush us, let us think of Mount Thabor, and the glorified Jesus, who a few weeks later faced his own real passion and cross cheerfully for our sakes. This thought will help us to carry our crosses as the thought of the future glory which will be ours should make us thank God that we have been created and thank his beloved Son for setting us on the road to that future glory.

Excerpted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O'Sullivan, O.F.M.

The Station at Rome is in the church of St. Mary in Dominica, on Monte Celio. Tradition tells us that in this basilica was the diaconicum of which St. Lawrence had charge, and from which he distributed to the poor the alms of the Church.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Romans 8:31-34

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

With these ten words, Paul begins to summarize the points he has been making so far in his Letter to the Romans. In fact, all of chapter 8 can be seen as a summary—a rousing, inspiring conclusion to the explanation of the gospel message Paul wrote about in chapters 1 through 7. So let’s take a look at some of these summary points.

First, Paul says that we are no less than beloved, adopted children of God. Just as Jesus taught us to call God “Our Father,” so Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit is constantly at work to convince us that we belong to God. He is always trying to show us that God is “for us” just as much as a father is “for” his own children (Romans 8:15-16,31).

Second, Paul talks about how the Holy Spirit “comes to the aid of our weakness” (Romans 8:26). Life will have its times of struggle, temptation, and suffering. But Paul wants us to be assured that even in our lowest moments, God is still for us. He is still with us, offering us his strength, his guidance, and his consolation.

Finally, Paul tells us that God loves us so much that he sent his only Son to save us (Romans 8:32). This is the clearest proof that God is for us. It is the clearest evidence of how deeply God values us and how dearly he wants us to be by his side. He gave us none other than Jesus himself to be our Redeemer, our Savior, and our closest Friend.

Now, it’s not always easy to trust in these words—especially when things aren’t going very well. But that doesn’t really matter. For even if we don’t believe that God is for us, it is still true. He is faithful. He is always standing by our side, ready to give us his strength and comfort.

Yes, your heavenly Father is on your side. He is for you. So rejoice today in this awesome truth!

“Father, you are my hope, my joy, and my strength! I will believe in you today!”

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

(Genesis 22:1-2,9-13,15-18; Psalm 116:10,15-19; Romans 8:31-34; Mark 9:2-10)

1. In last Sunday’s Mass readings, God formed a covenant with Noah. In this Sunday’s readings, he makes one with Abraham: “I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars …all this because you have obeyed my command.” In what areas of your life is God asking you to obey him more (and resist him less)?

2. In the responsorial Psalm, we pray: “I believed even when I said, ‘I am greatly afflicted.’” This was the same faith Abraham displayed in the first reading. In your times of “afflictions,” what keeps you from turning confidently to the Lord and believing he can loose your bonds? Share some examples of when you did turn confidently to the Lord, and how he set you free.

3. In the second reading from Romans, how would you describe what St. Paul believes is the Christian’s first and final answer in times of difficulty, despair, suffering, and fear. How do you apply Paul’s answer to your own life? How can you apply Paul’s answer to areas where you struggle to believe it and act on it?

4. In the story of the Transfiguration in the Gospel reading, Jesus shows forth his divine glory, foreshadowing his Resurrection. In response to the “terrified” reply of Peter, the reassuring voice of the Father is heard saying: “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” How can we take these words of the Father, which are also meant for us, more seriously during Lent?

5. The meditation states that in Romans, “all of chapter 8 can be seen as a summary—a rousing, inspiring conclusion to the explanation of the gospel message Paul wrote about in chapters 1 through 7.” The meditation also summarizes three of these points. How would you summarize the Gospel message described in chapter 8 of Romans?

6. Take some time now to pray and ask the Lord for the grace to allow the reality of the Gospel message that “God is for us” to affect more deeply how you live out your Christian lives as Catholics. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.

A Christian Pilgrim

THIS IS MY BELOVED SON; LISTEN TO HIM

(A biblical refection on THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, 4 March 2012)

Gospel Reading: Mark 9:2-10

First Reading: Gen 22:1-2,9-10,13,15-18; Psalms: Ps 116:10,15-19; Second Reading: Rom 8:31-34

The Scripture Text

And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and led them up a hight mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them, and His garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were exceedingly afraid. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him.” And suddenly looking around they no longer saw any one with them but Jesus only.

And as they were coming down the mountain, He charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of man should have risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant. (Mk 9:2-10 RSV)

What was the motivation of Jesus to climb the mountain of transfiguration? Why would He take Peter, James, and John away for this brief interlude of prayer when He was so busy in His ministry? Jesus wanted to seek His Father’s face. Jesus had just revealed the mystery of His death to His apostles and was about to begin His final journey to Jerusalem, where He would be mocked, beaten, and crucified (See Mk 8:31; 10:32-34). Jesus was at a point in His ministry where He needed assurance from His Father in heaven.

God responded to Jesus’ prayer in the transfiguration. Yes, Jesus must die. But He would be raised up in glory, and all creation would be renewed in Him. He would shine with the Father’s glory, and His love would be poured out to all the world. Moses, the lawgiver, saw the law that would be written upon the hearts of the people. Elijah, the prophet of God, saw the one who would speak God’s still, small voice into human hearts. Seeing Jesus glorified, these servants of the Lord rejoiced that the fulfillment of God’s promises was at hand.

God wants us to experience the same compassion He had for Jesus. Everything is in His hands, and can trust Him completely. Consider Abraham’s anguish as he ascended the mountain to sacrifice Isaac, his only son, for whom he had prayed so long. How would Sarah ever understand? Still, Abraham went forward, trusting – and discovering – that a greater glory would come (see Gen 22:1-18).

Abraham’s story and the transfiguration show that glory always comes when we accept God’s provision for us. God allows many things to occur that we may have a hard time understanding – a hard day, a difficult relationship, or even a sudden death in the family. In these times, we can cry out to God, trusting Paul’s words: “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also give us all things with Him” (Rom 8:32). God wants us to cooperate with His plan for us and so experience victory in Him.

Short Prayer: Holy and Almighty God, in Your fatherly love, work in our lives. Prepare us for the glory that will be ours when Your Son returns. During this Lenten Season, help us to surrender any ways that oppose Your perfect plan. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

Marriage = One Man and One Woman

Til' Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for March 4, 2012:

Just as Jesus was transfigured and appeared gloriously to Peter, James, and John (Mk 9: 2-10) so too love for your spouse can bring out the best in the other. Recall for a moment your wedding day and the wonder of seeing each other clothed in splendor.

Sunday Scripture Study

Second Sunday of Lent - Cycle B

March 4, 2012

Click here for USCCB readings

Opening Prayer

First Reading: Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

Psalm: 116:10, 15-19

Second Reading: Romans 8:31b-34

Gospel Reading: Mark 9:2-10

This Sunday’s Gospel relates what is traditionally called the Transfiguration of Jesus (from the Latin: trans = radical change; figur = appearance. The Greek word is metamorphothe).

This event is recounted in all three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke). It is mentioned by Peter in his second epistle (2 Peter 1:16-19) and we may even see a possible allusion to it in John 1:14.

In Mark’s gospel, the Transfiguration takes place six days after Jesus first predicts his Passion to the disciples and presents to them the demands of the Cross (Mark 8:31-38). Luke adds the fact that he took his three disciples to the top of the mountain to pray (Luke 9:28). The three that Jesus took with him—Peter, James, and John—formed sort of an “inner circle” among Jesus’ disciples and were present at key events in his ministry (Mark 5:21-43; 14:33).

The traditional location of the Transfiguration is Mount Tabor. In Christianity, Mt. Tabor has been seen as the counterpart to the Old Testament Mt. Sinai, where Moses received the Jewish Law (Exodus 19) and Elijah the Prophet had an encounter with God in “a still, small, voice (1 Kings 19). Moses and Elijah were thought to epitomize, respectively, the Law and the Prophets. They also were thought to have both been assumed (taken bodily) into heaven.

At the end of this encounter, the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) disappear (verse 8) but Jesus, who is the fulfillment of them both (Matthew 5:17; 7:12; 22:34-40; Luke 16:16-17) remains.

QUESTIONS:

In the 1^st reading, in what ways is the story of “the binding of Isaac” a foreshadowing—or type—of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross? What is the difference?

In the 2^nd reading what does Paul tell us that God did for us? What results from this? What confidence and trust should we have in God as a result of this?

What is the connection between Mark 9:1 and the Transfiguration?

What do you imagine this scene was like? What is the significance of Moses’ and Elijah’s presence? Of the voice (see Mark 1:11)? Why would this event be important for the disciples?

Who played the role of Elijah (see Matthew 17:10-13)? With what result (Mark 6:14-29)? How could John the Baptist’s fate help the disciples understand the nature of Jesus’ messiahship?”

Where have you grasped a bit of Jesus’ glory in a special way?

How does the picture of a suffering Messiah shape your view of what the Christian life is all about?

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 554-556, 1459-1464, 2565, 2570-2571, 2574-2577, 2602

We will not be able to share in our Lord's Resurrection unless we unite ourselves with Him in His Passion and Death. If we are to accompany Christ in His glory at the end of Holy Week, we must first enter into His holocaust and be truly united to Him, as He lies dead on Calvary.

–St. Josemaria Escriva

God Tests Abraham—and Us

Pastor’s Column

Second Sunday of Lent

March 4, 2012

“God said to Abraham, take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust…” Genesis 22:2

The story of the sacrifice of Abraham is a haunting one indeed. How would you handle this situation? Suppose God had promised you a child when you and your wife were long past child-bearing years; promised, in fact, to give you descendants through this child as numerous as the stars! Now, suppose God made you wait many years before answering this prayer and you remained faithful. Then, finally, when the child was eleven years old, God commanded you to make a sacrifice of him to God (in other words, kill him). What would you do?

This may not sound like something God is going to ask of any of us, but consider the elements of the story. I think we will find that this pattern is very real and takes place in the lives of most of us! Change the name here from Abraham to your own name!

God makes many promises to Abraham.
Abraham must wait a long time before God fulfills his promises.
Abraham finally has a child, whom he loves dearly. God fulfills his promise to Abraham.
God asks something of Abraham that is almost impossible.
God asks something of him that is very precious and dear.
God asks something that Abraham is not expecting.
God waits until the last minute before rescuing Abraham, testing his faith to the absolute max.
God rewards Abraham after this test in an incredible way.

The Lord makes many promises to us, in particular, that he wishes us to be with him in complete happiness in heaven. He promises to be with us always. We may feel very close to the Lord for a time! Then, we find he is absent, or he makes us wait a long time without that joy, or our prayers go unanswered, despite our hope. Later, our life situation may become almost impossible: the loss of a child or loved one; the loss of a job or health; receiving the opposite of what we prayed for; dryness in prayer: the list is endless.

When God asks what seems impossible, when we feel we can go no further, we remember Abraham: this is only a test. God is waiting at the end of this to bless me. Even if we aren’t as faithful as Abraham (and who is?), God sees our efforts to remain faithful in great adversity, and he will always reward them. This is only a test. God will remain faithful to me.

Father Gary

2nd Sunday Lent: Our Mountain-Top Encounters

Transfiguration of Christ - Lodovico Carracci

The Word: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030412.cfm

Gen 22: 1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

Rm 8: 31-34

Mk 9: 2-10

Having grown up in the Chicago area I could only imagine what a mountain might look like. In fact, it was not until we took a family vacation to Colorado that I think any of us had seen a true mountain range. I was only twelve at the time but it was for us a mountain top experience nonetheless.

In our scriptures this second Sunday of Lent we hear of two mountain top experiences. Each separated by centuries of time but united in a common theme of absolute faith. One is clearly a shocking moment of near tragedy and the other is an experience of glory tinged by the prediction of death and suffering.

From the book of Genesis we hear the story of Abraham and his son Isaac. God has tested the faith of his chosen senior citizen Abraham in several ways but this test is the ultimate one. What parent does not love their child? Only a mother or father know what parental love is like and I have occasionally heard parents say, whose child may be going through a tough time, “I would be willing to trade places with them but all I can do is pray.” That is inspiring to me and a sign of true love.

God asks Abraham to take his son up on top of a mountain and there offer his son as a human sacrifice. . Human sacrifice was repugnant to the Hebrew people so this particular story has a singular power. Rather than bargain with God for an alternative choice or question God’s wisdom, Abraham obeys. He seemingly intends to do exactly what God asks of him – to slay his son in obedience to God. We know the ending.

At the precise moment that Abraham was ready to follow this appalling request of God, he is stopped by the voice of an Angel: “Do not do the least thing to him . . .” And his reward for unquestionable faith is given: “I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky . . .” In this case Abraham followed the will of God, as bizarre as it seemed. This was a mighty test of faith. Would much lesser hard times in our lives also be tests from God?

The second mountain top event is much grander in scale and certainly more mysterious. It involves another Father and Son – Jesus and his own Father in heaven, a mysterious transformation in the person of Christ, a cloud, a voice from heaven and three awestruck witnesses: Peter, James and John.

This was an encounter with the divine and living presence of God which revealed to these three privileged disciples, the true nature and mission of Jesus.

Mountains play significant roles in Biblical literature beginning with Abraham, as we heard in today’s first reading. Then to Moses where he encountered God displayed through a “burning bush.” (Ex 3: 1-6). Then to Elijah the prophet where he hid in a cave and found God not in a frightening display of nature’s power but in the gentle breeze (1 Kings 19: 8-13). These mountain encounters became signs where God would speak to chosen messengers on holy ground.

Now Jesus, God in the flesh, is revealed in a mystical display of divine presence to these chosen three messengers, who recognize they stand on holy ground and like Elijah, hide their faces in fear and awesome trembling. That is, with the exception of the ever impulsive Peter, who boldly invites Jesus, Elijah and Moses to dwell with them in three tents.

God the Father confirms the truth of Jesus in the same words heard at his baptism: “This is my beloved son . . .”

What do all these strange events mean for us in our Lenten journey? They all point to the Christ foreshadowed in the obedient faith of Abraham, in the law giver Moses and the Prophet Elijah, a forerunner of the Messiah.

These beautiful readings all invite us to see Jesus with awe and wonder as the very foundation of our Christian faith. Peter, James and John likely had no clear sense of what the future would bring, despite Jesus’ prediction of his suffering. It was by hindsight they came to believe that the cross leads to resurrection and is the path of every Christian person who takes his identity with Christ seriously.

Our mountain top experiences, those moments of trouble, anxiety, fear, hopelessness and frustration can all be seen as moments of faith that is tested. Like Abraham who was asked by God to slay his own son our far less worrisome encounters with suffering are moments on the mountain with God.

The Eucharist is always an encounter from on high – the “source and summit of our Christian life” as the Catholic Catechism reminds us. There we encounter the passion, death and suffering of Jesus as he becomes present to us in risen life in each Mass. In the Easter sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist Jesus comes with life and hope for us.

How strong is my faith really? How willing can I be to join my mountain with that of Jesus? Am I just a spectator or a participant in the Lenten journey? Isn't Lent something about change or a kind of "transfiguration" of our person?

Fr. Tim

Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 9
2.	9:1 AND after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter and James and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves, and was transfigured before them.	9:1 Et post dies sex assumit Jesus Petrum, et Jacobum, et Joannem, et ducit illos in montem excelsum seorsum solos, et transfiguratus est coram ipsis.	και μεθ ημερας εξ παραλαμβανει ο ιησους τον πετρον και τον ιακωβον και [τον] ιωαννην και αναφερει αυτους εις ορος υψηλον κατ ιδιαν μονους και μετεμορφωθη εμπροσθεν αυτων
3.	9:2 And his garments became shining and exceeding white as snow, so as no fuller upon earth can make white.	9:2 Et vestimenta ejus facta sunt splendentia, et candida nimis velut nix, qualia fullo non potest super terram candida facere.	και τα ιματια αυτου εγενοντο στιλβοντα λευκα λιαν ως χιων οια γναφευς επι της γης ου δυναται λευκαναι
4.	9:3 And there appeared to them Elias with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.	9:3 Et apparuit illis Elias cum Moyse : et erant loquentes cum Jesu.	και ωφθη αυτοις ηλιας συν μωσει και ησαν συλλαλουντες τω ιησου
5.	9:4 And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.	9:4 Et respondens Petrus, ait Jesu : Rabbi, bonum est nos hic esse : et faciamus tria tabernacula, tibi unum, et Moysi unum, et Eliæ unum.	και αποκριθεις ο πετρος λεγει τω ιησου ραββι καλον εστιν ημας ωδε ειναι και ποιησωμεν σκηνας τρεις σοι μιαν και μωσει μιαν και ηλια μιαν
6.	9:5 For he knew not what he said: for they were struck with fear.	9:5 Non enim sciebat quid diceret : erant enim timore exterriti.	ου γαρ ηδει τι λαλησει ησαν γαρ εκφοβοι
7.	9:6 And there was a cloud overshadowing them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is my most beloved son; hear ye him.	9:6 Et facta est nubes obumbrans eos : et venit vox de nube, dicens : Hic est Filius meus carissimus : audite illum.	και εγενετο νεφελη επισκιαζουσα αυτοις και ηλθεν φωνη εκ της νεφελης ουτος εστιν ο υιος μου ο αγαπητος αυτου ακουετε
8.	9:7 And immediately looking about, they saw no man any more, but Jesus only with them.	9:7 Et statim circumspicientes, neminem amplius viderunt, nisi Jesum tantum secum.	και εξαπινα περιβλεψαμενοι ουκετι ουδενα ειδον αλλα τον ιησουν μονον μεθ εαυτων
9.	9:8 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them not to tell any man what things they had seen, till the Son of man shall be risen again from the dead.	9:8 Et descendentibus illis de monte, præcepit illis ne cuiquam quæ vidissent, narrarent : nisi cum Filius hominis a mortuis resurrexerit.	καταβαινοντων δε αυτων απο του ορους διεστειλατο αυτοις ινα μηδενι διηγησωνται α ειδον ει μη οταν ο υιος του ανθρωπου εκ νεκρων αναστη
10.	9:9 And they kept the word to themselves; questioning together what that should mean, when he shall be risen from the dead.	9:9 Et verbum continuerunt apud se : conquirentes quid esset, cum a mortuis resurrexerit.	και τον λογον εκρατησαν προς εαυτους συζητουντες τι εστιν το εκ νεκρων αναστηναι

March 4, 2012

Second Sunday of Lent

Reading 1 Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

Responsorial Psalm Ps 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19

Reading 2 Rom 8:31b-34

Gospel Mk 9:2-10

St. Casimir

Daily Readings for: March 04, 2012
(Readings on USCCB website)

RECIPES

ACTIVITIES

PRAYERS

Lent: March 4th

Second Sunday of Lent Old Calendar: Second Sunday of Lent

Meditation: Romans 8:31-34

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

Second Sunday of Lent - Cycle B

March 4, 2012

Second Sunday of Lent

Reading 1 Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

Responsorial Psalm Ps 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19

Reading 2 Rom 8:31b-34

Gospel Mk 9:2-10

St. Casimir

Daily Readings for: March 04, 2012(Readings on USCCB website)

RECIPES

ACTIVITIES

PRAYERS

Lent: March 4th

Second Sunday of Lent Old Calendar: Second Sunday of Lent

Meditation: Romans 8:31-34

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

Second Sunday of Lent - Cycle B

Daily Readings for: March 04, 2012
(Readings on USCCB website)