The Gospel of the 2^nd Sunday of Lent always places us on Mount Tabor at the Lord’s Transfiguration. The apostles see the Lord resplendent in the glory of his divinity. Through it the Lord wished to strengthen the apostles for the scandal of the cross. He wanted to show them that the Passion leads to the glory of the Resurrection. The Transfiguration placed the apostles between heaven and earth!

Today’s Prayer after Communion offers thanks to God “for allowing us while still on earth to be partakers even now of the things of heaven.” In other words, the Mass, our reception of the Eucharist is our Mount Tabor, our experience of being between heaven and earth. The Mass is both the sacrifice of Calvary re-presented and the sacred banquet at which we receive the Lord himself—body, blood, soul, and divinity under the form of bread and wine. It is a Real Presence that remains within the tabernacle.

The late Archbishop John May of St. Louis shared a few reminders of ways we ought to cultivate our awe and reverence in the Lord’s Presence:

• The Eucharistic Presence in our churches makes them more than mere places of assembly, more than a hall or auditorium. The Lord is there before and after the liturgy is celebrated.
• Our genuflection on entering or leaving the church acknowledges this Presence and is a gesture of adoration.
• The manner in which we reach out to our neighbor in church in the presence of the Lord reserved should differ from our approach and tone of voice in the shopping center or at a party.
• Charity respects with quiet those who are still engaged in prayer.

May the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament
be praised, adored and loved,
with grateful affection, at every moment,
in all the tabernacles of the world,
even to the end of time.

With affection,
Msgr. Gervasio

• Prezans Ekaristik nan Legliz nou yo, sanble plis a kote kretyen reyini ke yon sal oswa oditorium. GranMèt la toujou prezan avan e apre seremoni litijik la.
• Jenoufleksyon nou pandan nap antre oswa pandan nap soti fè rekonèt Prezans sa a epitou se yon jès d'adorasyon.
• Lè nou an Prezans GranMèt la nan Legliz, fason nou apwoche frè ak sè nou yo, ta dwe diferan de apwòch ak ton vwa nou lè nou nan magazen oswa nan fèt.
• Fè silans lè nou nan Legliz, se kote moun ap lapriyè GranMèt la.

The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the norms of the U.S. Bishop’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors.  If you have been sexually abused as a minor by anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know of someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan Hotline: 1-888-296-2965 or via e-mail at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org.  Such allegations are reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.