Second Sunday Of Lent, Called “Reminiscere”
International
Women's Day
Matthew, Chapter 17, verse 5-8
5 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.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they
fell prostrate and were very much afraid.
7But Jesus came and touched them,
saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”
8 And when the disciples raised their
eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
The apostles during the transfiguration heard the voice
of the Father; saw the light of the Holy Spirit and were touched by the Son of
God, Christ the messiah. They fully experienced the triune God which empowered
them for the trial ahead.
Who is God? God is an infinite being, of all
possible perfections, the most sublime and excellent of all goods, existing
from all eternity, and containing within Himself the principle of His own being
and substance from Whom all other things have received their existence and
life, “for of Him, and by Him, and in Him are all things” (Rom. xi. 36).
What is the blessed
Trinity? It is
this one God, Who is one in nature and threefold in person, the Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost.
Is each of these
persons God? Yes,
for each possesses the divine nature and substance.
Is any of these three
persons older, more powerful, or greater than another? No, they are all three, from
eternity, equal in power, sublimity, and majesty, and must therefore be equally
adored.
From Whom is the
Father? From
Himself, before all eternity.
From Whom is God the
Son? The Son is
begotten of the Father before all ages.
From Whom is God the
Holy Ghost? He
proceeds from the Father and the Son.
Whoever intends to
live with the Church must make the holy Eucharist the primary concern of his
life. But he can accomplish this only by participating as actively as possible
with the priest in offering the Sacrifice and by receiving holy Communion as
part of the sacrificial banquet. Receive the Blessed Sacrament today with the
desire to fully appreciate this great gift.[2]
AT
the Introit to-day the Church asks of God the grace to fall -no more into sin: Remember,
O God, Thy bowels of compassion, and Thy mercies that are from the beginning of
the world, lest at any time our enemies rule over us; deliver us, O God, from
all our tribulations. To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul. In Thee, O
God, I put my trust, let me not be ashamed; (Ps. xxiv.).
Prayer.
O God, Who beholdest us destitute of every virtue,
preserve us both inwardly and outwardly, that we may be defended from all
adversities in body, and purified from all evil thoughts in mind.
EPISTLE, i. Thess.
iv. 1-7.
Brethren: We pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus,
that as you have received of us, how you ought to walk, and to please God, so
also you would walk, that you may abound the more. For you know what precepts I
have given to you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification:
that you should abstain from fornication, that every one of you should know how
to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor: not in the passion of lust,
like the gentiles that know not God: and that no man overreach, nor circumvent
his brother in business: because the Lord is the avenger of all these things,
as we have told you before, and have testified: for God hath not called us unto
uncleanness, but unto sanctification.
Explanation. St. Paul exhorts
all Christians to live chastely and honestly, and continually to aspire to higher
perfection. Such is the will of God, Who has called us to holiness, and will
punish severely all impurity and injustice.
Prayer. Grant, O Lord,
that, according to my vocation, I may never be addicted to earthly and fleshly
lusts like the heathen, who know Thee not, but may live in modesty, chastity,
and holiness, and adorn my name as a Christian with good works. Amen.
Traditionally
for this Sunday Paul exhorts us to keep up our progress and we hear the story
of the Transfiguration as a heartening foretaste of Christ's ultimate triumph.
GOSPEL. Matt.
xvii. 1-9.
At
that time: Jesus taketh unto Him Peter and James, and John his brother, and
bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: and He was transfigured before
them. And His face did shine as the sun: and His garments became white as snow.
And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with Him. And Peter,
answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if Thou wilt, let
us make here three tabernacles, one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for
Elias. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And
lo a voice out of the cloud saying: This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased:
hear ye Him. And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face: and were very
much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: Arise, and fear
not. And they lifting up their eyes saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they
came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no
man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead.
Why
was Jesus transfigured before His disciples on Mount Tabor?
1.
To give them a manifest proof of His divinity.
2.
To prevent all doubt on their part when they should see Him on Mount Calvary.
3.
To encourage all the faithful to patience under agony and suffering.
4.
To show us how our glorified bodies shall rise from the dead (i. Cor. xv. 52).
Why did Moses and
Elias appear with Our Lord?
To testify that Jesus was the Savior of the word spoken of by the law and the
prophets.
Lenten
Calendar[4]
Reflect: “The
Transfiguration reminds us that the joys sown by God in life are not finishing
lines; rather they are the lights he gives us during our earthly pilgrimage in
order that “Jesus alone” may be our Law and his word the criterion that directs
our existence.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, February 28, 2010)
Pray: Pray for strength today to continue
your Lenten promises and fasting with this prayer from Catholic Relief Services. . . .
Act: It’s the second Sunday of Lent, but
there are three more to go. Rededicate yourself to your Lenten promises today
and enter the week ready to tackle what’s ahead.
International
Women’s Day celebrates women’s achievements throughout the world. Its
purpose is to promote women’s equality, encourage support for repressed women
and promote appreciation toward women everywhere. Many organizations,
including the United Nations, use this day to
also celebrate extraordinary achievements of ordinary women. International
Women's Day was initially promoted by the Socialist Party of America.
In 1909, it designated this day in remembrance of a major strike by the
International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union. The holiday is now
recognized internationally and is an Official National Holiday for many
countries, including: China, Russia and Ukraine. It is observed annually
on March 8th.
International
Women's Day Facts & Quotes
·
On
the eve of World War I, women across Europe and Russia celebrated the holiday
by protesting the war and campaigning for peace.
·
On
this day, the US Dept. of State and the First Lady award the International
Women of Courage Awards. Ten women are given the award - who have
exemplified exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for human rights, women’s
equality, and social progress, often at great personal risk
·
There
is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities:
violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable. -
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
International
Women's Day Top Events and Things to Do
·
Organize
a sporting event for women.
Numerous studies have shown many benefits for women that play sports.
A recent study by the EY Women Athletes Business Network even found that
women that play sports were more likely to excel in business.
·
If
you're a woman, try learning a task that is typically done by men. Such a
chore may be: changing the oil on your car, computer programming, mowing the
lawn, painting, and any home improvement project.
·
If
you’re a man, show appreciation by performing a chore for your special lady
that is typically done by her. This may include cooking, cleaning, childcare
or anything that the special woman in your life does.
·
Watch
a movie that portrays strong empowered women. Our favorites: Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Elizabeth (1998), Erin
Brockovich
(2000), The Help (2011), A League of Their Own (1992), Mulan (1998), My
Fair Lady
(1964), Norma Rae (1979), Volver (2006).
The
Church gives thanks for all the manifestations of the feminine
"genius" which have appeared in the course of history, in the midst
of all peoples and nations; she gives thanks for all the charisms which the
Holy Spirit distributes to women in the history of the People of God, for all
the victories which she owes to their faith, hope and charity: she gives thanks
for all the fruits of feminine holiness.-John Paul II, Apostolic Letter
When God’s
people fast, the power of their prayers is increased, especially when they are
engaged in spiritual warfare.
In response to
Daniel’s fasting and prayer, God had sent the Archangel Michael to battle a
demonic power (called “the prince of the kingdom of Persia”)
If prayer is a
spiritual weapon, fasting is the spiritual whetstone on which it is sharpened.
Daily
Devotions
·
Today in honor of the Holy Trinity do the Divine Office giving
your day to God. To honor God REST: no shopping after SUNSET ON SATURDAY till
Monday. Don’t forget the internet.
·
Manhood of the Master-Day 28
[1] Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896
[3]
Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896
[6]Thigpen,
Paul. Manual for Spiritual Warfare. TAN Books.
God loves a grateful heart; in the comments section state what you are grateful for.
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