st mary’s Greenville, South carolina

2nd sunday of Lent 28 february 2021 Introductory Rites

Entrance Antiphon Psalm 26.8, 9 Of you my heart has spoken: Seek his face. It is your face, O Lord, that I seek; hide not your face from me.

Entrance Hymn Forty Days and Forty Nights

2 Penitential Act Confiteor I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,

All strike their breast, saying: through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to our God. Priest May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. People Amen.

Or the priest may use the alternate form of the Penitential Rite with three invocations, after which all sing:

Kyrie: (Repeat after the cantor)

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3 Liturgy of the Word

First Reading Genesis 22.1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18 God put Abraham to the test. He called to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am!” he replied. Then God said: “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you.” When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the Lord’s messenger called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am!” he answered. “Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger. “Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.” As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son.

Again the Lord’s messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said: “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing — all this because you obeyed my command.”

Lector: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

4 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 116.10, 15, 16-17, 18-19

I believed, even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. Response.

O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your handmaid; you have loosed my bonds. To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. Response.

My vows to the Lord I will pay in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Response.

Second Reading Romans 8.31b-34 Brothers and sisters: If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us, who will condemn? Christ Jesus it is who died — or, rather, was raised — who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

Lector: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

5 Second Reading Romans 8.31b-34 Brothers and sisters: If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us, who will condemn? Christ Jesus it is who died — or, rather, was raised — who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

Lector: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

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

6 Gospel Mark 9.2-10

Deacon: The Lord be with you. People: And with your spirit. Deacon: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark. People: to you, O Lord.

Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then appeared to them along with , and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily

7 Profession of Faith (spoken slowly and reverently) The Apostles’ Creed is the baptismal profession of faith of the Holy Roman Church, which is used in the administration of Baptism and at the renewal of our baptismal promises at Easter. For this reason, we use this text throughout Lent and Eastertide to profess our faith.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

Bow profoundly during these two lines: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

The Bidding Prayers

The Collection The offering is for the support of the parish, and envelopes for the St. Mary’s Building Fund may also be placed in the collection.

8 Liturgy of the Eucharist

Offertory Antiphon Psalm 118.47, 48 I will delight in your commands, which I love exceedingly; and I will lift up my hands to your commands, which I love.

Offertory Hymn When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

9 Offertory Anthem

Hide Not Thou Thy Face Richard Farrant Hide not thou thy face from us, O Lord, and cast not thy servants in thy displeasure. For we confess our sins unto thee, and hide not our unrighteouness. For thy mercy’s sake, deliver us from all our sins.

Priest Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.

People May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.

Prayer Over the Offerings

Eucharistic Prayer

Preface Dialogue

10 Sanctus

Mystérium Fídei (The Mystery of Faith)

The Great Amen arr. by Judy Franzen

11 Communion Rite Priest At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say: People Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Priest Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. People For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Priest Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever. People Amen.

Priest The peace of the Lord be with you always. People And with your spirit.

12 Agnus Dei

Priest Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

People Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Communion Antiphon Matthew 17.5 This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.

13 An Act of Spiritual Communion

Lord Jesus, I love you above all things. How I long to receive you with my brothers and sisters at the table you have prepared. But since I cannot at this moment receive you in the holy of your Body and Blood, I ask you to feed me with the manna of your Holy Spirit and nourish me with your holy presence. I unite myself completely to you; never permit me to be separated from your love. Amen.

14 Communion Motets Verily, I Say Unto You Adrian Batten Verily, verily I say unto you, except ye can eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, ye have not life in you. Who so eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me, and I in him.

The Lord is My Shepherd Anglican Chant

The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want, he makes me down to lie. In pastures green; he leadeth me the quiet waters by. He leadeth me, he leadeth me, the quiet waters by.

My soul he doth restore again, And me to walk doth make Within the paths of righteousness, E’en for his own name’s sake. Within the paths of righteousness, E’en for his own name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through death’s dark vale Yet will I fear no ill; For thou art with me, and thy rod, and staff me comfort still; For thou art with me, and thy rod and staff me comfort still.

My table thou hast furnished in presence of my foes; My head thou dost with oil anoint, And my cup overflows. My head thou dost with oil anoint And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me; And in God’s house for evermore my dwelling place shall be. And in God’s house for evermore, my dwelling place shall be.

15 Communion Hymn The King of Love My Shepherd Is

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16 Concluding Rites

Priest The Lord be with you. People And with your spirit.

Priest May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. People Amen.

Deacon Go in peace. People Thanks be to God.

During Mass at St Mary’s, the priest and people face the same direction at the altar, a custom that was once universal in the Catholic Church but until recently has been rare in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite. For an explanation of this practice, please visit our parish website, www.smcgvl.org, and look for the link entitled Facing East to Pray.

Please Join Us today at 5.00 pm for Solemn Vespers of the Second Sunday of Lent

Page four: Philippe de Champaigne. Sacrifice of Isaac.( 17th century).

Page six: Peter Paul Rubens. The . (17th century).

Page seven: Pietro Perugino. The Transfiguration of Christ. (15th century).

Page twelve: Brother Max Schmalzlann. Christ, Eternal High Priest. (c. 1911). Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Chapel, Clyde, MO.

Page fifteen: Philippe de Champaigne. The Good Shepherd. (17th century).

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17 From the office of Readings for the second sunday of lent

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 splendor 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. The Lord had himself spoken of this when he foretold the splendor of his coming: Then the just will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Saint bore witness to this same truth when he said: I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not to be compared with the future glory that is to be revealed in us. In another place he says: You are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. This marvel of the transfiguration contains another lesson for the apostles, to strengthen them and lead them into the fullness of knowledge. Moses and Elijah, the law and the prophets, appeared with the Lord in conversation with him. This was in order to fulfill exactly, through the presence of these five men, the text which says: Before two or three witnesses every word is ratified. What word could be more firmly established, more securely based, than the word which is proclaimed by the trumpets of both old and new testaments, sounding in harmony, and by the utterances of ancient and the teaching of the Gospel, in full agreement with each other? The writings of the two testaments support each other. The radiance of the transfiguration reveals clearly and unmistakably the one who had been promised by signs foretelling him under the veils of mystery. As Saint John says: The law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. In him the promise made through the shadows of prophecy stands revealed, along with the full meaning of the precepts of the law. He is the one who teaches the truth of prophecy through his presence, and makes obedience to the commandments possible through grace. In the preaching of the holy Gospel all should receive a strengthening of their faith. No one should be ashamed of the cross of Christ, through which the world has been redeemed. No one should fear to suffer for the sake of justice; no one should lose confidence in the reward that has been promised. The way to rest is through toil, the way to life is through death. Christ has taken on himself the whole weakness of our lowly human nature. If then we are steadfast in our faith in him and in our love for him, we win the victory that he has won, we receive what he has promised. When it comes to obeying the commandments or enduring adversity, the words uttered by the Father should always echo in our ears: This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him.

- From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope

18 From the Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,

In the Nicene Creed we confess that Jesus Christ is “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,” and these words are an emphatic affirmation that the man who is the son of Mary is also the divine Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. But the Light which we confess Christ to be is not the created light which sprang forth at the dawn creation when the Father commanded: Let there be light! No, Christ Jesus in his divine nature is the bearer of the uncreated Light which is the brightness of divine glory, and in the Christian East that is often called Tabor Light as a reference to the holy mystery of Christ’s Transfiguration on Mount Tabor.

The Transfiguration is described by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and every year the Gospel appointed for the Second Sunday of Lent is an account of that event. The Lord Jesus takes the inner circle of the Twelve with him up a high mountain - identified by tradition as Mount Tabor - to prepare them for the tribulation to come, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains the significance of the event: “From the day Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Master ‘began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things…and be killed and on the third day be raised.’ Peter scorns this prediction, nor do the others understand it any better than he. In this context the mysterious episode of Jesus’ Transfiguration takes place on a high mountain, before three witnesses chosen by himself: Peter, James and John. Jesus’ face and clothes become dazzling with light, and Moses and Elijah appear, speaking ‘of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem.’ A cloud covers him and a voice from heaven says, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’” (CCC 554)

“For a moment Jesus discloses his divine glory, confirming Peter’s confession. He also reveals that he will have to go by the way of the cross at Jerusalem in order ‘to enter into his glory.’ Moses and Elijah had seen God’s glory on the Mountain; the Law and the Prophets had announced the Messiah’s sufferings. Christ’s Passion is the will of the Father: the Son acts as God’s servant, the cloud indicates the presence of the Holy Spirit … The Transfiguration gives us a foretaste of Christ’s glorious coming, when he “will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body. But is also recalls that ‘it is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.’” (CCC 555-556)

Standing in the transfigured glory of the Lord Jesus, Peter was filled with both fear and awe. He could scarcely look at the brightness of Christ’s glory, and yet he could not imagine leaving that sacred place. The brightness of the cloud at Tabor and at Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan is the same brightness that blinded Saul on the Damascus Road, that burst forth in the bush which burned before Moses without being consumed, and that filled the Meeting Tent and the Temple as a sign of God’s presence among his people. At this Mass we rejoice to be in the presence of the Light from Light, even as we prepare to go down from the mountain of the sacred liturgy and give witness to Christ by joining him in the Way of the Cross.

Father Newman

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