Reflection Mountains, a common biblical image, are sacred places: a place of prayer, a geography of the sacred, a circumstance that sets us apart from the busyness of daily life. Jesus spent time in mountains as well as in synagogues, communing with God and sharing faith experiences. Peter, James, and John were privileged to see Jesus in his glory. They would also be invited to share deeply in his suffering, the cross. Through baptism we too are given opportunities to encounter God in nature and human constructions, on mountains and in churches. We need only believe to know the mystery of transfiguration and personal transformation. Call to Prayer Leader : Let us love and adore God. All : with a pure heart and a pure mind. Robert F. Morneau, Ashes to Easter, Lenten Meditations Leader : Of you my heart has spoken: Seek his face. All : It is your face, O Lord, that I seek; hide not your face from me. (Ps 27:8-9) Song Neither Death nor Life (Marty Haugen, Gift of God) Refrain: Neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor trials in the present, nor any trial to come; neither height nor depth, nor all of creation can ever separate us from the love of God poured out in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 1
1. Dwell in the one who raised Christ from the dead, Though your body shall die, in Christ you shall rise, through the Spirit who brings you to life. 2. All who are led by the Spirit shall live as children of God and heirs with Christ Jesus, God s adopted and chosen and loved. 3. All things work for good for the ones who love God. And if God is for us, then who can be against us? God s justified cannot be condemned. 4. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship or distress, persecution or famine, or nakedness or peril or sword? Antiphon 1 If God is for us, who can be against us? Psalm 116: 1-9 I love you, O God, for you have heard my voice and my supplications. You have inclined your ear to me, I will call on you as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of the grave laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then, I called on your name, O God: O God, I pray you, save my life. Gracious are you and just; merciful and full of compassion. You preserve those with simple hearts; when I was brought low you saved me. 2
Return my soul to your rest; for God has dealt kindly with you, delivering my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I will walk before you, O God, in the land of the living. Glory Antiphon 2 I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 116: 10-19 I kept faith even when I said: I am greatly afflicted; I said in my dismay, No one can be trusted. What shall I render to you, for all your goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on your holy name. I will make my vows to you in the presence of all your people. Precious in your sight is the death of your faithful ones. Indeed, I am your servant; you have loosened my bonds. I will offer sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on your holy name. I will make my vows to you in the presence of all your people, in the courts of your holy house, in the midst of all your saints. 3
Glory Reading Romans 8:31-34 If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Canticle of Zechariah Pause Antiphon This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him. Blessed are you, God of Israel, for you have visited and redeemed your people, and have raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of your servant. As you spoke through the mouths of your holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who oppress us; to perform the mercy promised to our ancestors, and to remember your holy covenant, the oath you swore to Abraham and Sarah, to grant us deliverance from evil, that we might serve you without fear, in holiness and righteousness, all the days of our lives. And you, child, 4
will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the holy One to prepare God's ways, to give knowledge of salvation to God's people in the forgiveness of their sins, through the tender mercy of our god when the day shall dawn upon us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory... Intercessions Your mercy, O God, is beyond anything we can ask or imagine and so we pray: Expand our hearts and our imaginations, - that we may be ready for the glorious coming of Jesus Christ. Open our ears, - that we may hear in wonder and willingness your surprising Word. Give us patience and endurance, wisdom and courage, - that as we experience suffering and death we may follow Christ in peace and hope. Enlighten our minds and inflame our hearts, - that we may recognize your presence and burn with love for you. (Franciscan Morning and Evening Prayer) 5
Our Father Prayer O God, Jesus taught us that the way of suffering is a human way. May we, in union with Jesus, give ourselves to the labor pains of your new creation and move with hope toward your vision for the whole universe. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Franciscan Morning and Evening Prayer) Marian Prayer O Mary, look upon us who are your children, look upon us who are brothers and sisters, disciples and apostles and continuation of Jesus. Make us aware of our vocation and our mission. Pope Paul VI Blessing May all the holy virtues, which are poured into the hearts of the faithful through the grace and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit make us faithful to God. (Franciscan Morning and Evening Prayer) 6