Entries

Second Sunday of Lent (C)

March 16, 2025

Fr. John Colacino C.PP.S.

Introit

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,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading Gn 15:5-12,17-18

The Lord brought Abram outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then the Lord said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6 And Abram believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. 7 Then the Lord said to Abram, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” 8 But Abram said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” 9 The Lord said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 Abram brought the Lord all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. 17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.”

Responsorial Psalm 27:1,7-8,8-9,13-14

R/. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Second Reading Phil 3:20-4:1

Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm, my beloved, in the Lord in this way.

Verse Before the Gospel cf. Mt 17:5

Gospel Lk 8:28b-36

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to Jesus. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as Moses and Elijah were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter did not know what he was saying. 34 While Peter was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And the disciples kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

Catena Nova

When the soul is counted worthy to enjoy communion with the Spirit of the light of God, and when God shines upon the soul with the beauty of his ineffable glory, preparing her as a throne and dwelling for himself, she becomes all light, all face, all eye. Then there is no part of her that is not full of the spiritual eyes of light. There is no part of her that is in darkness, but she is transfigured wholly and in every part with light and spirit. Just as the sun is the same throughout, having neither back nor anything irregular, but is wholly glorified with light and is all light, being transformed in every part; or as fire, with its burning sheath of flame, is constant throughout, having neither a beginning or an end, being neither larger nor smaller in any part, so also when the soul is perfectly illumined with the ineffable beauty and glory of the light of Christ’s countenance, and granted perfect communion with the Holy Spirit and counted worthy to become the dwelling-place and throne of God, then the soul becomes all eye, all light, all face, all glory, all spirit. (Pseudo-Macarius)

I entered into the secret closet of my soul, led by Thee; and this I could do because Thou wast my helper. I entered, and beheld with the mysterious eye of my soul the Light that never changes, above the eye of my soul, above my intelligence. It was not the common light which all flesh can see, nor was it greater yet of the same kind, as if the light of day were to grow brighter and brighter and flood all space. It was not like this, but different: altogether different from all such things. Nor was it above my intelligence in the same way as oil is above water, or heaven above earth; but it was higher because it made me, and I was lower because made by it. He who knoweth the truth knoweth that Light: and who knoweth it, knoweth eternity. Love knoweth it.(St. Augustine of Hippo)

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 splendour 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. (Pope St. Leo the Great)

In most holy contemplation
we shall be ever filled with the sight of God
shining gloriously around us,
as once it shone for the disciples
at the divine Transfiguration.
And there we shall be,
our minds away from passion and from earth
and we shall have a conceptual gift, of light from Him
and, somehow, in a way we cannot know,
we shall be united with Him
and, our understanding carried away,
blessedly happy,
we shall be struck by His blazing light.
Marvellously, our minds,
will be like those in the heavens above. (Pseudo Dionysius the Areopogite)

It is indeed good to be here, as you have said, Peter. It is good to be with Jesus and to remain here forever. What greater happiness or higher honour could we have than to be with God, to be made like Him and to live in His light? Therefore, since each of us possesses God in his heart and is being transformed into His divine image, we also should cry out with joy: It is good for us to be here – here where all things shine with divine radiance, where there is joy and gladness and exultation; where there is nothing in our hearts but peace, serenity and stillness; where God is seen. For here, in our hearts, Christ takes up His abode together with the Father, saying as He enters: Today salvation has come to this house. With Christ, our hearts receive all the wealth of His eternal blessings and there where they are stored up for us in Him, we see reflected as in a mirror both the first fruits and the whole of the world to come. (St Anastasius of Sinai)

You reign on the Almighty’s throne
Also in transfigured human form,
Ever since the completion of your work on earth.
I believe this because your word teaches me so,
And because I believe, I know it gives me joy,
And blessed hope blooms forth from it. (St Edith Stein/Benedicta of the Cross)

Union with God, which Jesus otherwise holds hidden in the ultimate depths of his soul, now fills up all the chambers of his soul, it embraces his body, drawing it, too, into the blessedness of God's light and God's unity. “His face was like the sun, and his clothes were as radiant as light.”... And just as at the baptism, the voice of the Father confirms here, too, that this poor, praying Jesus, consecrated for suffering, and heroically prepared for the cross, is God's very beloved Son. This then is the meaning of the transfiguration for Jesus himself: in the dark night of earthly hopelessness the light of God shines, a human heart finds in God the power which turns a dying into a victory and into the redemption of the world. (Fr. Karl Rahner)

Homily

"Take two aspirin and call me in the morning." There's a priestly counterpart to that glib piece of medical advice. I've said it many times these past 45 years: “For your penance, say five Our Fathers and five Hail Marys.” But whenever I’ve said those words, in the back of my mind,I’ve thought to myself, “This is kind of silly. Why should prayer be a penance? I for one like to pray. Fasting and almsgiving I can see, but why make prayer a penance? As if calling on God in the words Jesus taught us, or on Mary in the words of the angel were something of a burden, imposed for the purpose of amendment?”

Oh, I suppose prayer requires an effort we may sometimes find difficult to make. Prayer takes time we might prefer to spend on something else. Prayer can even be boring, especially when we're tempted to think there's no one there — just an Imaginary Friend. Prayer also takes discipline for prayer — serious prayer -- can never be haphazard, but ought to be regular. Still, why should prayer be considered penance? That’s what I don’t quite understand.

Especially when I read of saints and mystics who know how prayer can be blissful, ecstatic even. As in Bernini's famous sculpture of St. Teresa of Avila. For prayer is union with God and when someone discovers rest in God for the restless heart — as St. Augustine did — well, prayer can be a mountaintop experience and not just a sojourn in the desert.

In other words, prayer can be like joining Peter, John and James that time Jesus took them up onto a mountain — Why? — to pray. [And] while he was praying, his face was changed in appearance and his clothes became dazzlingly white (G). Oh yes, prayer can be like that -- a transfiguration -- when all is light and the presence of God something you feel. So again I wonder, why should prayer be a penance?

But then, I read something like the story of Abram and I begin to see why. For Abram, who was greatly consoled in prayer by God’s promise to have descendants as numerous as the stars, and a land for them to inhabit, Abram knew a sacrifice on his part was involved. It began when God called Abram and Sarai in their old age to move from Ur of the Chaldeans to the land God would give them as a possession (I). And to be sure, the rewards promised far outweighed the difficulties in uprooting themselves.

But at just the moment when God seemed closest to Abram, lavish with signs of affection, when the covenant between them was about to be sealed and Abram had done what the Lord asked of him, at just that moment birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses of the animals which Abram offered. . .[and] as the sun was about to set. . .a deep, terrifying darkness enveloped him (I). The old man and his wife must have wondered what went wrong. Where did God go? What happened to the promise?

The Bible tells us, however, how in that moment Abram stayed with his offering, not going back on his part. And how just when it was dark, there appeared a smoking brazier and a flaming torch. . . And it was on that occasion that the Lord made a covenant with Abram (I). So God, after all, was nearest to Abram in the dark and the fear, after the sun had set and the light gone out. It was then that God accepted the sacrifice, and Abram’s faith was credited to him by the Lord as an act of righteousness (cf. I).

But for many of us, rather than “stay with” our sacrifice as Abram did, persevering in prayer when God seems absent, when God seems to have left us exposed to birds of prey -- for many of us in such moments we leave prayer and withdraw to the land we left behind. Oh yes, in such moments prayer can be a real penance, a trial by fire.

I can just hear Paul saying to those who flee from prayer in such moments, Unfortunately, many go about in a way which shows them to be enemies of the cross of Christ (II). For prayer, you see, is a share, not only in the glory of Christ and his resurrection, but also his forsakenness and his passion. Indeed, right there on the mountain where Jesus took the apostles, right there in the middle of all that glory, Moses and Elijah were speaking with Jesus of his passage which he was about to fulfil in Jerusalem (G). Meaning his death and resurrection.

And right at that point Luke tells us Peter and those with him had fallen into a deep sleep (G) -- as they will again in the Garden of Olives when Jesus was arrested. As if to say, when a cloud appears on the bright horizon, and dims the light -- unlike Abram -- some folks check out. And rather than enter the cloud, as Moses, Elijah and Jesus did, grow fearful instead.

So prayer just might be penance – not the “five Our Fathers and five Hail Marys” type of prayer -- but the kind that draws us into intimacy with the Divine along with the challenges such a relationship entails. This is the kind of prayer which purifies our faith, proves our hope, and tests our love: when mountains become deserts; transfigurations, crucifixions; when God’s speaking voice falls silent. And in all such moments, my brothers [and sisters], you whom I love and long for, you who are my joy and my crown, in all such times, continue my dear ones, to stand firm in the Lord (cf. II). Who lives and reigns, forever and ever. Amen.

Intercessions (Joe Milner; The Sunday Website)

For the Church: that we may listen with both our minds and hearts to God’s beloved Son and be transformed by his words.

For a deeper understanding of our baptism this Lent: that we may grow in our covenant relationship with God and our understanding of our identity as daughters and sons of God.

For those preparing for baptism, and all people searching for faith, that they may discover the true light, which is Jesus Christ, and so come to understand the meaning of life which leads to eternal glory.

For a deepening of hope: that even though negative and doubting messages abound in our society, we may be confident that God will never abandon us.

For all who live in the Holy Land: that all who draw faith from the witness of Abraham and Sarah may work to bring forth new cooperation and a season of justice and harmony.

For members of Congress: that God will give them insight and courage to explore new ways to work together to effectively address the needs of all people.

For all who are sick: that God's healing love will restore those recovering from respiratory illness, from cancer, or from surgery, and provide strength to those who are experiencing the weaknesses of advancing age.

For peace: that God will bring an end to the violence in Ukraine, in Israel-Palestine and in Congo, protect the innocent from harm, open channels for food and medicine, and help peace negotiations to succeed.

God of the covenant,
your presence fills us with awe,
your word gives us unshakeable hope.
Fix in our hearts
the image of your Son in glory,
that, sustained on the path of discipleship,
we may pass over with him to newness of life.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. (ICEL; 1998)

Offertory Antiphon

Offertory Hymn

Be still, my soul, and rest upon the Lord
in quiet certainty.

For He has come to rescue you from doubt.

And now you stand in blazing glory of a risen sun
that cannot set.

It will forever be exactly as it is.

You stand with Him
within a radiance prepared for you
before time was and far beyond its reach.

Be still and know. And knowing, be you sure
your Lord has come to you.

There is no doubt that stands before His countenance, nor can
conceal from you what He would have you see.

The sun has risen. He has come at last.
Where stands His presence there can be no past.

Be still, my soul, and rest upon the Lord
who comes to keep the promise of His Word.

Communion Antiphon

Closing Hymn

Transform us as you, transfigured, stood apart on Tabor’s height. Lead us up our sacred mountains, search us with revealing light.

Lift us from where we have fallen, full of questions, filled with fright. Transform us as you, transfigured, once spoke with those holy ones.

We, surrounded by the witness of those saints whose work is done, Live in this world as your Body, chosen daughters, chosen sons.

Transform us as you, transfigured, would not stay within a shrine. Keep us from our great temptation - time and truth we quickly bind. Lead us down those daily pathways where our love is not confined. Amen.

Archives