From the shining cloud the Father’s voice is heard:
This is my beloved Son, hear him.

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Jesus shows his Glory on the Mountain of Tabor in Israel to three of the Apostles: Peter, James, and John.  Tabor is a very beautiful mountain. I was there two times. And on clear days, from the top, you can see forever. Jesus transfigures Himself from a kind of very ordinary person on a dusty journey in the often-arid desert land of Israel into a dazzling white and glorious figure now upon the mountain top, so much so that the Father from Heaven says, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” 

I think the Church as our Mother and Teacher takes us up the Mountain on this Second Sunday of Lent so that we learn the true meaning of prayer in our daily lives.  Each day must have with it the tent of prayer— so good it is for us to be with Jesus in prayer — to be in touch with the Glory of God.

  

If I could share this with you on a personal level: Being your pastor, you have brought me to constant prayer as your priest. It just happens.  I pray for you more than for myself morning, noon, and night.  I am filled with energy, and I pray for you.  I am tired, and I still pray for you. I cannot stop praying for you! Excessive? Maybe. Good for me to be in the tent of constant prayer for you? Yes!

You know the Bible as the Word of God states that we must pray always — with our minds, and with our hearts, even if it is without words.  

Recently I was very moved by a reflection on the necessity of prayer by a teenager. She writes, “I often have a gut feeling to be closer to God, and so I pray, even when I listen to music, and then I feel like it is just me and Him. I feel a sense of calmness and relaxation, and I have nothing to worry about in the world. I am grateful for how far I have come and look forward to the exciting things that are in the long road ahead of me.”

I like this young teenager’s insight into prayer very much.  We must pray always, and prayer is for all ages.

If you desire to be in touch with the Glory of the Transfigured Lord, consider seriously committing yourself to a Holy Hour before our Lord, present in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.  The bulletin each week carries the invitation.  

As we offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the Second Sunday of Lent, ask St. Anthony and Our Lady to help you thirst more and more for the Glory of God through prayer.  Now we see things only partially, but His Glory is here through prayer, until the day when we shall fully see His Glory, in Heaven, in dazzling white. 

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor and Rector, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica – Saint Anthony Parish

The LORD said to Abram:
“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk
and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.

“I will make of you a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you
and curse those who curse you.
All the communities of the earth
shall find blessing in you.”

Abram went as the LORD directed him.

R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Beloved:
Bear your share of hardship for the gospel
with the strength that comes from God.

He saved us and called us to a holy life,
not according to our works
but according to his own design
and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,
but now made manifest
through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus,
who destroyed death and brought life and immortality
to light through the gospel.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.