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The Easter Cycle
in the splendor of His transfiguration on Mount Tabor and in the Holy Sacrifice; we who are
members of His body will one day share in that glorification, and with the Church we shall
live eternally united to Him. The transfigured host on the Tabor of the altar is our certain
assurance of the future glorification and transfiguration of the Church. With confidence
we dwell, not on the night that surrounds us now, but rather on the glory of the awakening
that awaits us in the eternal transfiguration of the everlasting Easter. “Lord, it is good for
us to be here.”
Today we renew our baptismal vows. At the celebration of the Mass we should repeat our
Abrenuntio: “I renounce.” With the gifts of bread and wine which we bring to the altar, we join
ourselves to the sacrifice and pledge: “Receive my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my
will. I give Thee all that I am so that You may do with me what You will.”
Transfiguration! After the lenten trials and sacrifices of our earthly life, we may look
forward to transfiguration in heaven. Now we see only the hard, stony path that stretches
out before us. We are so absorbed by the struggle with ourselves, so busy with the sacrifices,
prayers, and works that are imposed on us, that we are prone to lose sight of the glory that
awaits us. If we could keep the thought of our future glory before us, we should find new
courage and strength to bear our trials and hardships more joyfully. If only the glorified
Savior were more truly a part of our conscious life! Today the holy liturgy urges us to acquire
such an awareness.
“That thou mayest be a holy people of the Lord” (First lesson). Baptism, religious profession,
and holy orders make us the holy people of the Lord. How easily we forget that we are His
chosen people! How readily we forsake Him and turn to lesser gods!
Prayer
Look favorably upon Thy people, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and by Thy mercy turn aside from
them the scourges of Thy wrath.
Direct our actions, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by Thy inspiration and further them with Thy
continual help; that every prayer and work of ours may begin always from Thee and through
Thee likewise be ended. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Second Sunday of Lent
The Mass
In early Christian times, when the fervor and heroism of the first converts was still ardent, the
Ember celebration began late on Saturday evening. On this day the faithful in Rome gathered
at the Church of St. Peter. Since there were many lessons to be read before the conferring of
holy orders, and since there were to be lengthy sermons by the bishops, and the alms were to
be distributed to the poor, the services lasted until the next morning. Thus it happened that the
Mass which we now have on Ember Saturday was actually said on the following Sunday morning.
As men grew to dislike the long services, however, they were shortened and were transferred
to the morning of Ember Saturday. A new Mass was then composed for the Sunday which
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