Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17-4:1
The Transfiguration account is in the Gospel for today. The First Reading, the Responsorial Psalm, and the Second Reading connect tenuously on the “promised land.” The First Reading tells of the covenant God made with Abram, and the land that God promised to him and to his descendants. The Responsorial Psalm echoes this in the fourth stanza, where the cantor sings, “I believe that I shall see the bounty (i.e., the good things) of the Lord in the land of the living.” This segues us into the Second Reading, where Paul reminds the Philippians (and us) that “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.” For Abraham, the promised land was Canaan; for us as Christians, it is in the world to come. A brief foretaste of that world to come is given to Peter, James, and John in the Gospel, where Jesus’ “face was changed in appearance, and His clothing became dazzling white.” Moses and Elijah appear with Him, and “spoke of His exodus [this is the word used in the Greek text] that He was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.” When overshadowed by the bright cloud, they heard a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to Him.” St. John of the Cross says about this, “If any now should question God or desire a vision or revelation, not only would he be acting foolishly, but he would be committing an offense against God, by not fixing his gaze on Christ with no desire for any new thing. For God could reply to him in this way, “If I have spoken all things to you in My Word, which is My Son and I have no other word, what answer can I give you now, or what can I reveal to you that is greater than this? Fix your eyes on Him alone, for in Him I have spoken and revealed to you all things, and in Him you will find even more than what you ask for and desire; hear Him, for I have no more faith to reveal, nor have I any more things to declare.” (Ascent of Mount Carmel, Bk 2)
This hymn is based on today’s Scriptures:
Gone forth from home with God to guide him,
Abram looked up and saw the sky:
"Even as stars you cannot number,
So shall your offspring multiply."
God there with Abram cov'nant made,
Promise that shall not change or fade.
Jesus went up upon the mountain,
And there, transfigured 'fore their eyes,
Saw the disciples "law" and "prophets,"
Standing there next to Jesus' side.
"This is My Son, " they heard the voice;
"Listen to Him, He is My choice!"
Each of us, baptized in Christ Jesus,
Is launched on journey hard and long
Where we are daily called to cov'nant,
Following Christ with joyful song.
Do not give way! Now faithful bide,
Clinging to Cross as boast and guide!
98.98.88
Propers from the Roman Gradual
The older Introit for today is “Remeniscere,” which seems to fit in with the theme of Lent as time for repentance for personal sin. The first option, though, works better in the light of the Transfiguration gospel, which also leads us toward Baptism (whose traditional name, we remember, is “enlightenment”). The First Reading today ties in most interestingly with the Offertory, with its affirmation of obedience to God’s will. The Communion comes from the Matthean version of today’s Gospel.
Introit, first option: Tibi dixit cor meum (Ps. 27: 8,9,1)
My heart declared to you: “Your countenance have I sought.”
I shall ever seek your countenance; O Lord, do not turn your face from me.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
Introit, second option: Remeniscere (Ps. 25: 6,3,22; 1-2)
Call to remembrance, O Lord, your tender mercies;
and your loving kindnesses, which have been ever of old.
O let not our enemies triumph over us.
Deliver us, O God of Israel, out of all our troubles.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you.
Let me not be humiliated.
Offertory: Meditabor (Ps. 119:47-48)
I delight in your commandments, which I have always loved;
my hands also will I lift up unto your commandments, which I have loved.
Communion: Visionem (Matt. 17:9b)
Tell the vision which you have seen unto no one,
until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.
Propers from the Simple Gradual
Entrance: BFW 79 (The Lord is my light and my salvation)
or BFW 239 (Turn to your people, Lord, have pity on us)
or BFW 346 (Jesus took his disciples up the mountain . . .)
Response: BFW 214 (The Lord will teach the lowly his ways)
or BFW 74 (Have mercy on us)
or tract BFW 76 or BFW 60 — used as a tract
Gospel acclamation antiphon: BFW 65 or 75
Offertory: BFW 434 (The just shall praise your name . . .)
or BFW 351 (Let us make here three tabernacles . . .)
Communion: BFW 353 (Tell no one of the vision . . .)