Greeting (See Second Reading)
The Lord Jesus Christ will transform our perishable human
bodies and make them glorious like his own. May his light and peace be with
you. R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
- A
Transfiguring Light
Once in a while, perhaps in a rare moment when we are very
much discouraged, we deeply encounter the Lord in prayer, or we meet a kind and
understanding person who lights up our face with the warmth of understanding
and kind love. Such moments can keep us going for a long time. Would that the
Eucharist, and our encounter with the Lord here, could be such a moment that
keeps us going and disposes us to light up the lives of others.
- With
Jesus on the Mountain
At one time or another we have all seen the face of a person
light up by good news, or a moment of real happiness. One day Jesus’ face too
lit up, became radiant and was totally transformed by the realization that his
work and suffering would not be in vain. May we also know moments when our
faces light up with deep happiness and when we bring this radiance to the faces
and hearts of others. In this Eucharist we ask the Lord to work this
transfiguration in us and to let us bring it to others.
Penitential Act
We are supposed to be children of light, yet we often prefer
the darkness of sin. Let us humbly seek the Lord to forgive us. (pause)
Lord Jesus, light of the Father, light up our faces and
hearts with your forgiving love: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, glory of the Most High, light up our faces and
hearts with your strength and your friendship: Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ,
have mercy.
Lord Jesus, light of the world, light up the faces and
hearts of all people with the message of your Good News: Lord, have mercy. R/
Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us all our sins. Brighten
our life with your presence and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray for Christ’s encouraging light on our way(pause)
Great and holy God, on his journey to his suffering and
death you gave to your Son Jesus a glimpse of the glory that was awaiting him when
he would rise from the dead. In the drabness and sufferings of our life and in
our frustrated efforts to transform this earth, let shine on us and all our
brothers and sisters a ray of hope that lifts us up and sustains us on the way
to you and on the often difficult road toward your justice and love in this
world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
First Reading (Gen 15:5-12,17-18): A Flaming Torch and a
Covenant
At a time when Abraham’s faith is sorely tested, God
gives him hope; he binds himself to Abraham by a covenant and by the flaming
torch God shows that he is present.
Reading 1: Gn 15:5-12, 17-18
Second Reading (Phil 3:17—4:1 or 3:20-4:1):
Transfiguration of the Christian in Christ
The saving grace of Christ will transfigure our humanity
in the image of the risen humanity of the Lord.
Reading 2: Phil 3:17—4:1
Gospel (Lk 9:28-36): A Flash of the Lord’s Glory
Before Jesus set out on his way to his suffering and
death, a glimpse of his resurrection and glory shone in him, to strengthen him
in his own loyalty and to encourage his disciples.
Gospel: Lk 9:28b-36
Intercessions
Let Jesus lead us high up on the mountain where he wants to
pray with us, and let us say: R/ Lord, brighten our life.
– That
our Lord may give to his Church a bright vision of how it can unite all peoples
and cultures, be enriched by them and manifest its one faith in a variety of
languages and forms of expression, let us pray: R/ Lord, brighten our life.
– That
our Lord may give to the leaders of nations a bright vision of the future and
dispose them to transform this world by bringing it justice and peace, let us
pray: R/ Lord, brighten our life.
– That
our Lord may give a bright vision to those gifted with talents and possessions
as to how they can share their goods and their love so as to transform poverty
and misery into happiness, let us pray: R/ Lord, brighten our life.
– That
our Lord may give to young people a bright vision of service and dedication,
that their faith may teach them to transform this world by their hope and
youth, let us pray: R/ Lord, brighten our life.
– That
our Lord may give to those who suffer the vision of how to unite their pains
and cares to those of our Lord bearing his cross, so that they may rise above
their hardships, let us pray: R/ Lord, brighten our life.
– That
our Lord may give to our Christian communities a vision of how they can be
united, respect one another, learn to accept everyone and forgive mistakes and
offenses, let us pray: R/ Lord, brighten our life.
Lord Jesus Christ, hear our prayers, show your face to us
and accompany us in sorrows and joys on our way to your and our Father, now and
for ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God, bread and wine are the gifts which we bring
before you. As Jesus’ appearance as a man like us was transformed by the light
of glory, change this daily food and drink into your beloved Son. Help us to
listen to his word and nourish us with his body, that we may be converted to
the mentality of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord for ever. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
Christ our Lord is with us here in this Eucharist, in
everyday life, even in our pains, questions and sorrows. We thank the Father
for giving us Jesus.
Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer
Jesus taught us how to pray to our Father in heaven. With
God’s beloved Son we pray: R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil and grant us peace in our
day. Reassure us in our trials and help us to go without fear the way of the
victorious cross, until you take us up in your eternal light on the day of the
coming in glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus the Lord, of whom the Father said: This is my
beloved Son; listen to him. Happy are we to receive his glorious body. R/ Lord,
I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
God our Father, in this Eucharist your Son Jesus has
inspired us with a bright view of how our struggles, our efforts to change
ourselves and our world, lead to the joy of victory over death and pain and
evil. Let the bread of your Son provide us with the strength to join our Lord
in his passion, that we may also share in his glory and bear witness that our
faith is good news of joy and light and life. We ask this in the name of Jesus
the Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
We heard today how a glimpse of his glory to come lit up the
face of Jesus and gave him the courage to face his suffering and death. Let his
encouraging word in the gospel also lift up our hearts to in moments of trial and
may we light up the face of people who suffer. Let the Lord give us this hope
and love and may almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the
Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go in the peace and the light of Christ.
R/ Thanks be to God.
Commentary
Living
the Memory of the Future
Read:
God
promises the impossible; Abraham believes. In that faith, God counts Abraham as
the upright man. Paul pleads with tears not to become enemies of the cross, but
be steadfast in the Lord. Jesus reveals himself in Transfiguration to the inner
circle of disciples, revealing their destiny as well.
Reflect:
Christians
are called to be people of Memory—Anamnesis. Not an ordinary human
memory that is all about recalling past experiences; but a sacramental
anamnesis, a memory of the future that is our destiny. It is the dark memory of
events that are ‘already but not yet’. If Abraham lived his life in faith and was
counted upright, it was because he lived in memory of the future that was
already but not yet realized in his present. On Mount Tabor, the disciples were
given an experience that would remain etched in them as an anamnesis of their
destiny: In the Transfigured Christ, they glimpsed who they will be.
Pray:
Pray today
for a transfiguration from the wounding memories of the past to the anamnesis
of our promised deification ahead.
ct:
Live today
as someone already transfigured in Christ (=Having the Mind of Christ).
===============
16 March 2025
Luke 9:28b-36
Listen to Him
On the Second Sunday of Lent, the Church invites us to
reflect on the Transfiguration of Jesus, an event that reveals His divine
glory. St. Luke emphasises that Jesus ascends the mountain to pray, and
during this prayer, His face changes, radiating the splendour of God's
glory.
In Scripture,
we encounter similar instances—like Moses' glowing
face after his encounter with God. We may have had similar
experiences during deep prayer, Eucharistic
adoration, or meditating on God’s Word, when our
hearts were filled with joy, peace, and light, and
people around us could experience the light emanating from us.
In the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appear, symbolising
the Torah – the Law and the Prophets. The Law and the
Prophets find their fulfilment in the person of
Jesus. Together, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus represent the
entirety of scripture. The Transfiguration emphasises that encountering
Jesus is intrinsically linked to engaging with God's Word.
To witness God’s glory, we must ascend the lofty mountain
of Scripture, allowing it to illuminate our lives.
Luke is the only evangelist who records the topic of Jesus'
conversation with Moses and Elijah—they speak of His exodus, His journey
toward the Cross and Resurrection. The disciples, however, do not understand;
they become drowsy, just as they will also in the Garden of
Gethsemane. In the disciples, we see ourselves—often distracted or weary
when God calls us to watch and pray.
Peter, feeling overwhelmed by the
experience, longs to build tents, wanting to stay in
that glorious moment. However, the Father’s voice prompts
us to do just one thing: “Listen to Him.” Lent serves
as a time to listen—to God’s Word, His will, and His presence in
our everyday lives. May we embrace His light to transform
us, guiding us onward in faith, trust, and hope.
God bless you on this Lenten journey!
