Professional Documents
Culture Documents
T
his Second Sunday of Lent is like a breather in our
Lenten pilgrimage, which is characterized by pen-
ance and greater awareness of our sinfulness. Weak
and wounded in many ways, we fix our gaze on the transfigured
Christ, to derive from him the inspiration we need to undertake
or continue our quest for the values of the Kingdom and the
splendor of a holy life.
Let us remember that Jesus was transfigured while he was
praying. It was in his dialogue with the Father that the glory
of his true self was revealed. May our participation in this
Eucharistic celebration bring about the same effect in us, both
as individuals and as a community.
ter, it is good that we are here;
lowly body to conform with his
let us make three tents, one
glorified body by the power for you, one for Moses, and
The Lord is my light and my sal- that enables him also to bring one for Elijah.” But he did not
all things into subjection to know what he was saying.
Eb himself. While he was still speak-
Therefore, my brothers ing, a cloud came and cast a
and sisters, whom I love and shadow over them, and they
va-------tion! long for, my joy and crown, became frightened when they
GLOSSARY: Ć Ur of the Chaldeans: A city near the estuary of the Euphrates River, in modern-day Iraq. The Chaldeans were a tribe
that settled in that region for some time. Ć Wadi (of Egypt): A “wadi” is a river or brook that runs dry during the dry season. Some
commentators interpret the term “Wadi of Egypt” to mean the Nile River, but the majority think of a much smaller river.
17 March 2019
entered the cloud. Then from Prayer of the Faithful All –May the Lord accept the
the cloud came a voice that P –As we recall Jesus’ sacrifice at your hands, for
said, “This is my chosen Son; Transfiguration and renew the praise and glory of his
listen to him.” After the voice our commitment to listen to name, for our good and the
had spoken, Jesus was found good of all his holy Church.
alone. They fell silent and did him, let us also present our
not at that time tell anyone humble petitions, saying: Prayer over the Offerings
what they had seen. All – Son of the living God, P –May this sacrifice, O
The Gospel of the Lord! hear our prayer! Lord, we pray, cleanse us of
All – Praise to you, Lord Jesus C –For the Church, the home our faults and sanctify your
Christ! of all believers: May she illu- faithful in body and mind for
mine mankind with the holi- the celebration of the paschal
Homily ness of her members. Let us festivities.
pray! R. Through Christ our Lord.
Profession of Faith All – Amen!
(Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed) C –For the Holy Father and
all our religious leaders: May Preface of 2nd Sun. of Lent
All –I believe in one God, the Fa- they find in the Transfigura-
ther almighty, maker of heaven tion of Jesus the strength they P –The Lord be with you!
and earth, of all things visible need to persevere in their All –And with your spirit!
and invisible. good work. Let us pray! R. P –Lift up your hearts!
I believe in one Lord Jesus All –We lift them up to the
Christ, the Only Begotten Son C –For those who do not ap- Lord!
of God, born of the Father be- preciate the importance of P –Let us give thanks to the
fore all ages. God from God, prayer: May the example of Lord our God!
Light from Light, true God from Jesus be for them an encour- All –It is right and just!
true God, begotten, not made, agement to raise their minds to P –It is truly right and just,
consubstantial with the Father; God with love. Let us pray! R. our duty and our salvation,
through him all things were C –For those who behave always and everywhere to
made. For us men and for our as “enemies of the cross of give you thanks, Lord, holy
salvation he came down from Christ”: May they forsake Father, almighty and eternal
heaven, (bow)* and by the Holy their sinful ways and start liv- God, through Christ our Lord.
Spirit was incarnate of the Vir- ing as authentic Christians. For after he had told the
gin Mary, and became man.* Let us pray! R. disciples of his coming Death,
For our sake he was crucified C –For all of us: May we on the holy mountain he man-
under Pontius Pilate, he suf- bravely fight the culture of ifested to them his glory, to
fered death and was buried, and death that is threatening our show, even by the testimony
rose again on the third day in country and uphold the culture of the law and the prophets,
accordance with the Scriptures. of life and love. Let us pray! R. that the Passion leads to the
He ascended into heaven and is glory of the Resurrection.
C – Let us pray in silence for And so, with the Powers of
seated at the right hand of the our personal intentions.
Father. He will come again in heaven, we worship you con-
(Pause) Let us pray! R. stantly on earth, and before
glory to judge the living and the
dead and his kingdom will have P –Lord Jesus, on Mount your majesty without end we
no end. Tabor you revealed the splen- acclaim:
I believe in the Holy Spirit, dor of your divinity and filled All – Holy, holy, holy Lord,
the Lord, the giver of life, who your disciples with joy. Show God of hosts. Heaven and
us your radiant countenance earth are full of your glory.
proceeds from the Father and
and fill us with your peace, Hosanna in the highest!
the Son, who with the Father Blessed is he who comes in
and the Son is adored and glori- that we may be able to serve
you faithfully all the days of the name of the Lord. Hosan-
fied, who has spoken through na in the highest!
the prophets. our life.
All – Amen!
I believe in one, holy, cath- Memorial Acclamation
olic and apostolic Church. I P –The mystery of faith!
confess one Baptism for the All – When we eat this Bread
forgiveness of sins and I look and drink this Cup, we
forward to the resurrection of proclaim your Death,
the dead and the life of the world Preparation of the Gifts O Lord, until you come
to come. Amen! P –Pray, brethren . . . again!
GLOSSARY: • Exodus: This word, literally, means “departure” and is reminiscent of the “departure” of the Israelites from Egypt, the
land where they had been enslaved. In this context, it means the events of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, through which
he would depart from this life and return to the Father. These same events would bring about the “exodus” of mankind from the
enslavement of sin to the promised land of God’s grace and freedom.
Sign of Peace
Breaking of the Bread
The Transforming Power of Prayer
by Jess P. Balon
All – Lamb of God . . .
rayer meant so much to Jesus. It was an essential dimension
Communion
P –Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the
sins of the world. Blessed are
P of his life. The Gospels contain numerous references to Je-
sus’ praying during the night or waking up before everybody
else to pray in some quiet place. Every prayerful encounter with his
those called to the Supper of Father brought out the best in Jesus. Three of his disciples – Peter,
the Lamb. James and John – witnessed this outpouring of the best in their
All – Lord, I am not worthy Master in the episode we call the “Transfiguration.” That was an
that you should enter under my unforgettable visible manifestation of the transforming power which
roof, but only say the word and prayer had on Jesus as a human being.
my soul shall be healed. There are good reasons to believe that such a “transformation”
did not take place only on that occasion. The only difference, on
Communion Antiphon Mount Tabor, was that the event had eyewitnesses who could just
(To be recited only when no
Communion Hymn is sung.) marvel and rejoice in what they were seeing.
This is my beloved Son, There was a time, however, in the earthly life of Jesus, on an-
with whom I am well pleased; other mountain – the Mount of Olives! – when the loving dialogue
listen to him. of prayer turned into a monologue of distress. The usual “Partner”
– the Father – seemed to be absent. It was as if God had “hidden
Prayer after Communion His face” from Jesus.
P –As we receive these glo- Fortunately, on that occasion, too, Jesus closed his conversation
rious mysteries, we make in the way he had taught his disciples to pray: “Your will be done!”
thanksgiving to you, O Lord, Then an angel appeared to console him in his distress. That, too,
for allowing us while still on produced in him a transfiguration of sorts. The presence of the
earth to be partakers even angel said that his prayer had “worked.” Jesus’ Partner’s full answer
now of the things of heaven. would come at the Resurrection, the “permanent transfiguration,”
Through Christ our Lord. which Jesus has been enjoying ever since and which he will enjoy
All – Amen!
for ever.
Of that “eternal transfiguration,” the transfiguration undergone
by Jesus on Mount Tabor was only a “foretaste,” meant to tell the
astonished disciples to set their hearts on what really matters: their
P –The Lord be with you. relationship with God, and their filial conversation with Him.
All – And with your spirit! Such is also the lesson for us, as we reflect on the transfiguration
of Jesus while he was at prayer. (See Lk 9:29.) If we understand
P –Bow your heads and this point clearly, prayer will never be “boring” or “routine” or a
pray for God’s blessing.
(Pause) monotonous “monologue.” It may happen that we, too, find our-
–Bless Your faithful, O selves praying fervently, crying our hearts out, apparently to no
Lord, with a blessing that effect, for God seems not to be listening . . . . In such situations the
endures for ever. temptation is great to conclude that God does not care anymore
All – Amen! about us . . . . But we know that God is always there and does
P –Keep them faithful, Fa- care. He is always listening even when we can’t see Him and we
ther, to the Gospel of can’t hear His voice, there and then. His answer will come at the
proper time – in His time – which is always the best time.
Don Bosco Compound, A. Arnaiz Ave. cor. Chino Roces Ave., Makati, Metro Manila
Postal Address: P.O. Box 1820, MCPO, 1258 Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
WORD & LIFE Tel. Nos. 894-5401; 894-5402; 892-2169 • Telefax: 894-5241 • Website: www.wordandlife.org
PUBLICATIONS • E-mail: marketing@wordandlife.org; wordandlifepublications@gmail.com • FB: Word & Life Publications
• Editorial Team: Fr. S. Putzu, J. Domingo, A. Adsuara, V. David, D. Daguio, R. Molomog
• Illustrations: A. Sarmiento, B. Cleofe • Marketing: Fr. B. Nolasco • Circulation: R. Saldua