Glory obtained through death: A Retrospect for the Second Sunday of Lent

As much as I wanted to have these reflections dished out on time, I cannot do so. I told the reason why last week, and this might continue for the next few months. I am also abstaining from going online all the time as part of my Lenten penance. But rest assured that I will do everything in my power to do these, even if they are merely retrospects at the end of each Sunday, so that you may have something to think about for the rest of the week. (Of course, I won't do that for Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday.)

Moving forward, this is the retrospect for today:

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READINGS AND PROPERS
 

Extraordinary Form (Second Sunday in Lent)

Second Sunday in Lent

Purple

First Class

[STATION AT ST. MARY'S IN DOMINICA]

INTROIT ¤ Ps. 24. 6, 3, 22
	Reminiscere miserationum tuarum, Domine, et misericordiae tuae, quae a saeculo sunt: ne unquam dominentur nobis inimici nostri: libera nos, Deus Israel, ex omnibus augustiis nostris. -- Ad te, Domine, levavi animam meam, Deus meus, in te confido, non erubescam. V.: Gloria Patri . . . -- Reminiscere miserationum . . .	Remember, O Lord, 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 of Israel, from all our tribulations. -- (Ps. 24. 1, 2). To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul: in Thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me be not ashamed. V.: Glory to the Father . . . -- Remember, O Lord . . .
The Gloria is not said.
COLLECT
	Deus, qui conspicis omni nos virtute destitui: interius exteriusque custodi; ut ab omnibus adversitatibus muniamur in corpore, et a pravis cogitationibus mundemur in mente. Per Dominum . . .	O God, who seest that we are wholly destitute of strength, keep us within and without: that we may be defended in body from all adversity: and cleansed in mind from evil thoughts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .
EPISTLE ¤ I Thess. 4. 1-17 Lesson from the First Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians. Lectio Epistolae beati Pauli Apostoli ad Thessalonicenses. [God our Creator and our Lord "hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification, in Christ Jesus our Lord."]
	Fratres: Rogamus vos, et obsecramus in Domino Iesu, et quemadmodum accepistis a nobis quomodo oporteat vos ambulare, et placere Deo, sic et abuletis, ut abundetis magis. Scitis enim quae praecepta dederim vobis per Dominum Iesum. Haec est enim voluntas Dei, sanctificatio vestra: ut abstineatis vos a fornicatione, ut sciat unusquisque vestrum vas suum possidere in sanctificatione, et honore: non in passione desiderii, sicut et gentes, quae ignorant Deum: et ne quis supergrediatur, neque circumveniat in negotio fratrem suum: quoniam vindex est Dominus de his omnibus, sicut praediximus vobis, et testificati sumus. Non enim vocavit nos Deus in immunditiam, sed in sanctificationem: in Christo Iesu Domino nostro.	Brethren, We pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus that, as you have received from 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 vesel 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 all testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification: in Christ Jesus our Lord.
GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 24. 17, 18
	Tribulationes cordis mei dilatatae sunt: de necessitatibus meis eripe me, Domine. V.: Vide humilitatem meam, et laborem meum: et dimitte omnia peccata mea.	The troubles of my heart are multiplied: deliver me from my necessities, O Lord. V.: See my abjection and my labor; and forgive me all my sins.
TRACT ¤ Ps. 105. 1-4
	Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus: quoniam in saeculum misericordia eius. V.: Quis loquetur potentias Domini: auditas faciet omnes laudes eius? V.: Beati qui custodiunt iudicium, et faciunt iustitiam in omni tempore. V.: Memento nostri, Domine: in bene placito populi tui: visita nos in salutari tuo.	Give glory to the Lord, for He is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. V.: Who shall declare the powers of the Lord: who shall set forth all His praises? V.: Blessed are they that keep judgment and do justice at all times. V.: Remember us, O Lord, in the favor of Thy people: visit us with Thy salvation.
GOSPEL ¤ Matth. 17. 1-9. † Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. † Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum. [Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Mount Thabor: manifestation of the divinity of Jesus.]
	In illo tempore: Assumpsit Iesus Petrum, et Iacobem, et Ioannem fratrem eius, et duxit illos in montem excelsum seorsum: et transfiguratus est ante eos. Et resplenduit facies eius sicut sol: vestimenta autem eius facta sunt alba sicut nix. Et ecce apparuerunt illis Moyses et Elias cum eo loquentes. Respondens autem Petrus, dixit ad Iesum: Domine, bonum est nos hic esse: si vis, faciamus hic tria tabernacula, tibi unum, Moysi unum, et Eliae unum. Adhuc eo loquente, ecce nubes lucida obumbravit eos. Et ecce vox de nube, dicens: Hic est Filius meus dilectus, in quo mihi bene complacui: ipsum audite. Et audientes discipuli, ceciderunt in faciem suam, et timuerunt valde. Et accessit Iesus, et tetigit eos, dixitque eis: Surgite, et nolite timere. Levantes autem oculos suos, neminem viderunt, nisi solum Iesum. Et descendentibus illis de monte, praecepit eis Iesus, dicens: Nemini dixeritis visionem, donec Filius hominis a mortuis resurgat.	At that time Jesus took 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. Then 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.
OFFERTORY ¤ Ps. 118. 47, 48
	Meditabor in mandatis tuis, quae dilexi valde: et levabo manus meas ad mandata tua, quae dilexi.	I will meditate on Thy commandments, which I have loved exceedingly: and I will lift up my hands to Thy commandments which I have loved.
SECRET
	Sacrificiis praesentibus, Domine quaesumus, intende placatus: ut et devotioni nostrae proficiant, et saluti. Per Dominum . . .	Look favorably upon these present Sacrifices, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that they may profit us both unto devotion and salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .
PREFACE Preface for Lent
	Vere dignum et iustum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. Qui corporali ieiunio vitia comprimis, mentem elevas, virtutem largiris et praemia: per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quem maiestatem tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Coeli, coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim, socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti iubeas deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes:	It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; Who by this bodily fast, dost curb our vices, dost lift up our minds and bestow on us strength and rewards; through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise:
COMMUNION ¤ Ps. 5. 2-4
	Intellige clamorem meum: intende voci orationis meae, Rex meus, et Deus meus: quoniam ad te orabo, Domine.	Understand my cry: hearken to the voice of my prayer, O my King and my God: for to Thee will I pray, O Lord.
POSTCOMMUNION
	Supplices te rogamus, omnipotens Deus: ut, quos tuis reficis sacramentis, tibi etiam placitis moribus dignanter deservire concedas. Per Dominum . . .	We humbly beseech Thee, almighty God, that we whom Thou dost refresh by Thy Sacraments may worthily serve Thee by lives well pleasing to thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth . . .

Ordinary Form (Second Sunday of Lent)

Prophecy: Gen. 12:1-4a

The Lord said to Abram: Go forth out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and out of thy father's house, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and magnify thy name, and thou shalt be blessed. I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee, and IN THEE shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. So Abram went out as the Lord had commanded him, and Lot went with him.

(Abram was seventy-five years old when he went forth from Haran.)

Responsorial:

Ps. 33:4-5, 18-19, 20+22
R: Lord, let Thy mercy be on us as we place our trust in Thee

The word of the Lord is right,

and all his works are done with faithfulness.

He loveth mercy and judgment;

the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.

Behold the eyes of the Lord are on them that fear him:

and on them that hope in his mercy.

To deliver their souls from death;

and feed them in famine.

Our soul waiteth for the Lord:

for he is our helper and protector.

Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us,

as we have hoped in thee.

Epistle: II Tim. 1:8b-10

Beloved: Be not thou ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but labour with the gospel, according to the power of God. Who hath delivered us and called us by his holy calling, not according to our own works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the times of the world: But is now made manifest by the illumination of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath destroyed death and hath brought to light life and incorruption by the gospel.

Gospel: Mt. 17:1-9

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.

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RETROSPECT

Just like last Sunday, the Gospel of both Forms of the Roman Rite of the Mass tackle the same Gospel: The Transfiguration of our Lord, the Fourth Mystery of Light which Bl. John Paul II, in his authority as Supreme Pontiff, promulgated in his encyclical "Rosarium Virginis Mariae".

As what I heard from a sermon today at Mass, the priest preached that "what Jesus denied Satan to see, His Apostles have seen." Maybe the connection that we can reckon (or at least I do) from the readings we have read in the two weeks that passed is that Jesus manifested Himself, in a brief glimpse at least, to all of creation: as the ultimate Terror of demons and as the Light of the world.

But for it to happen, Jesus have to suffer and die. Because it is in His stripes that we would be healed. (cf. Is. 53:5). It is a glory only to be obtained through death.

So what is Moses and Elias doing in that scene? Why are they talking to the God they have not seen in their own lifetime?

In Scripture, St. Jude (Thaddeus, if I'm not mistaken) wrote that St. Michael guarded the body of Moses from Satan (see Jude 1:9). This can be a plausible theory that the Leader and Judge of the pilgrim Israelites was assumed to heaven, just like Enoch in the Book of Genesis, and as our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, in a glorious manner. As for Elias, we know the story of his disappearance from earth: he was assumed to heaven in a chariot of fire. Now taking a place of honour in His Father's House, Jesus acknowledged them both as His ancestors and His servants.

Then interrupted Peter, the reluctant Prince of the Apostles: "Lord, it is good for us to be here!" I remember during my High School retreat in one of the two retreat houses overlooking Mount Batulao (the Salesian one, that is. The other is Caleruega, the Dominican retreat house, which I have also visited due to my College retreat), I have seen the same words posted on the walls. And I can also relate to the first Supreme Pontiff why in the world he have said it in the presence of the greatest holy people in the Jewish hagiography. Jesus's presence was so glorious that Peter, James, and John cannot believe that their Lord have to die so that they can see Him like that when He will rise again. As for me, a retreat to the mountains make me say the same words, not because I have nothing to say, but because I can meet the Lord more closely; I might even realize at that time, though subliminally, that the Lord retreated to the mountains every single time the people would like to declare Him their King. At least I have realized this as I reflect on the Gospel as I am typing this.

Now, as Peter reluctantly said the words above, the Father's voice was heard, and the Holy Spirit, in the form of a cloud, appeared. It looks like Peter has received an answer from the Holy Trinity, who has shown Himself again. (The first time might be at the time of Abraham, appearing as a triad of pilgrims, the same Lord who told Abraham to leave the abode of his father and venture to the Promised Land, as read today in the First Reading of the New Rite; the second is at the Nativity of the Son of God at Bethlehem--the Father as the Source of light, the Holy Spirit might be the light that shone on the Infant Lord; the third is at the baptism at the Jordan, where the Father spoke and the Holy Spirit came down on the Son, as the heavens opened, in the form of a dove.) This time, the Father not only introduced His Son to the Apostles, He have also given them a command: "Listen to Him!"

Today, the same command is also directed to us.

We not only listen to God's written word, in which we hear from our priests as they preach it in the pulpit, but we are also invited to receive the Word made Flesh in the Holy Eucharist. Let us, then, challenge ourselves to reflect on these words as the priest, in persona Christi, changes the substances of bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, who not only illumined Himself on Mount Tabor, but also on every altar where the Holy Mass is offered every single day. Let us challenge ourselves to recall the command the Father told about His Son on the mountain every time we see our Lord elevated in the Consecration: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: Listen to Him!"

And so we ask: Am I choosing bravery of soul by combating evil through avoiding occasions of sin and by worthy reception of the Lord in Holy Communion? Am I willing to obey the command of the Father to listen to His beloved Son and living my life in the Holy Spirit?

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PRAYING THE COLLECT

O God, who seest that we are wholly destitute of strength, keep us within and without: that we may be defended in body from all adversity: and cleansed in mind from evil thoughts.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end. Amen. 

Temptation and pride: reflections and insights for the First Sunday of Lent

First of all, I would like to apologize for not posting for three consecutive weeks. A concoction of being uninspired, not properly disposed, stress from work, and a very sloppy internet connection at home prevented me to do my reflections.

Moving forward, we now enter the Season of Lent: a season of fasting, abstinence, almsgiving, self-mortification, and denial of selfish thoughts. (I really inserted the last one since this season is all about reducing our ego more and letting God reign in our hearts more fervently, so that we can rightfully celebrate Easter with worthy hearts.) It always starts on Ash Wednesday, and it reminds us that we do not have to be too showy when we do things for the Lord. It also requires us Catholics to abstain from food from warm-blooded animals on all Fidays of Lent, as well as to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. (The practice of fasting every Friday of Lent and abstaining on all Fridays of the year is optional, but can be a welcome practice for Catholics.)

So before I start this reflection, I would like to suggest a "Lenten Challenge" for all those who are reached by this blog: From the First Sunday of Lent up until Easter Vigil, let us challenge ourselves to (1) give up something we really want to do, and (2) avoid our most frequent sins. For my part, I would limit my use of social media for the whole of this season, cut my expenses, and destroy my innuendos. Most importantly, as we challenge ourselves with these, it can also be suggested to work hard for our salvation and pray harder than before. Of course, we should not forget our secular duties since this is part and parcel of our life of holiness. Rest assured that I will focus more on the daily grind since this is a must for a Christian workman like me. (Oh, did I forgot to mention that the Feast of St. Joseph is also near? It's going to be celebrated on the 19th.)


So without further ado, The readings and propers for the First Sunday of Lent.


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READINGS AND PROPERS


Extraordinary Form (First Sunday in Lent)


INTROIT ¤ Ps. 90. 15, 16
	Invocabit me, et ego exaudium eum eripiam eum, et glorificabo eum: longitudine dierum adimplebo eum. -- Qui habitat in adiutorium Altissimi: in protectione Dei coeli commorabitur. V.: Gloria Patri . . . -- Invocabit me, et . . .	He shall cry to me, and I will hear him: I will deliver him, and I will glorify him: I will fill him with length of days. -- (Ps. 90. 1). He that dwelleth in the aid of the Most High: shall abide under the protection of the God of Heaven. V.: Glory to the Father . . . -- He shall cry to me . . .
The Gloria is not said.
COLLECT
	Deus, qui Ecclesiam tuam annua Quadragesimali observatione purificas: praesta familiae tuae; ut quod a te obtinere abstinendo nititur, hoc bonis operibus exsequatur. Per Dominum . . .	O God, who dost purify Thy Church by the yearly observance of Lent: grant to Thy household, that what we strive to obtain from Thee by abstinence, we may achieve by good works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end.
EPISTLE ¤ II Cor. 6. 1-10 Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corithians. Lectio Epistolae beati Pauli Apostoli ad Corinthios. [Lent, with its feastdays and prayers, is the acceptable time, the time of salvation. St. Paul exhorts us that we receive not the grace of God in vain.]
	Fratres: Exhortamur vos, ne in vacuum gratiam Dei recipiatis. Ait enim: Tempore accepto exaudivi te, et in die salutis adiuvi te. Ecce nunc tempus acceptablie, ecce nunc dies salutis. Nemini dantes ullam offensionem, ut non vituperetur ministerium nostrum: sed in omnibus exhibeamus nosmetipsos sicut Dei ministros, in multa patientia, in tribulationibus, in necessitatibus, in angustiis, in plagis, in carceribus, in seditionibus, in laboribus, in vigiliis, in ieiuniis, in castitate, in scientia, in longanimitate, in suavitate, in Spiritu Sancto, in caritate non ficta, in verbo veritatis, in virtute Dei, per arma iustitiae a dextris, et a sinistris: per gloriam et ignobilitatem: per infamiam, et bonam famam: ut seductores et veraces: sicut qui ignoti, et cognoti: quasi morientes, et ecce vivimus: ut castigati, et non mortificati: quasi tristes, semper autem gaudentes: sicut egentes, multos autem locupletantes: tamquam nihil habentes, et omnia possidentes.	Brethren, We exhort you that you receive not the grace of God in vain. For He saith: In an accepted time have I heard thee, and in the day of salvation have I helped thee. Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold now is the day of salvation. Giving no offense to any man, that our ministry be not blamed: but in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labors, in watchings, in fastings, in chastity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the power of God, by the armor of justice on the right hand and on the left: by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers and yet true, as unknown and yet known: as dying, and behold we live: as chastised and not killed: as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing: as needy, yet enriching many: as having nothing and possessing all things.
GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 90. 11-12
	Angelis suis Deus mandavit de te, ut custodiant te in omnibus viis tuis. V.: In manibus portabunt te, ne unquam offendas ad lapidem pedem tuum.	God has given His Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. V.: In their hands they shall bear thee up, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
TRACT ¤ Ps. 90. 1-7, 11-16
	Qui habitat in adiutorium Altissimi, in protectione Dei coeli commorabitur. V.: Dicet Domino: Susceptor meus es tu, et refugium meum: Deus meus, sperabo in eum. V.: Quoniam ipse liberavit me de laqueo venantium, et a verbo aspero. V.: Scapulis suis obumbrabit tibi, et sub pennis eius sperabis. V.: Scuto circumdabit te veritas eius: non timebis a timore nocturno. V.: A sagitta volante per diem, a negotio perambulante in tenebris, a ruina et daemonio meridiano. V.: Cadent a latere tuo mille, et decem millia a dextris tuis: tibi autem non appropinquabit. V.: Quoniam Angelis suis mandavit de te, ut custodiant te in omnibus viis tuis. V.: In manibus portabunt te, ne unquam offendas ad lapidem pedem tuum. V.: Super aspidem et basiliscum ambulabis, et conculcabis leonem et draconem. V.: Quoniam in me speravit, liberabo eum: protegam eum quoniam cognovit nomen meum. V.: Invocabit me, et ego exaudiam eum: cum ipso sum in tribulatione. V.: Eripiam eum, et glorificabo eum: longitudine dierum adimplebo eum, et ostendam illi salutare meum.	He that dwelleth in the aid of the Most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of heaven. V.: He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector and my refuge: my God, in Him will I trust. V.: For He hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters, and from the sharp word. V.: He will overshadow thee with His shoulders, and under His wings thou shalt trust. V.: His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night. V.: Of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark, of invasion or of the noonday devil. V.: A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee. V.: For He hath given His Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. V.: In their hands they shall bear thee up, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. V.: Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk, and thou shalt trample underfoot the lion and the dragon. V.: Because he hoped in Me I will deliver him: I will protect him, because he hath known my Name. V.: He shall cry to me, and I will hear him: I am with him in tribulation. V.: I will deliver him, and I will glorify him: I will fill him with length of days, and I will show him my salvation.
GOSPEL ¤ Matth. 4. 1-11. † Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. † Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum. [It was in the desert that Satan, wishing to know if the Son of Mary was really the Son of God, tempted our Lord. The devil seeks to tempt us by the lustful desire of the flesh, by the pride of life, and by the lustful desire of the eyes, or avarice.]
	In illo tempore: Ductus est Iesus in desertum a Spiritu, ut tentaretur a diabolo. Et cum ieiunasset quadraginta diebus, et quadraginta noctibus, postea esuriit. Et accedens tentator, dixit et: Si Filius Dei es, dic ut lapides isti panes fiant. Qui respondens, dixit: Scriptum est: Non in solo pane vivit homo, sed in omni verbo, quod procedit de ore Dei. Tunc assumpsit eum diabolus in sanctam civitatem, et statuit eum super pinnaculum templi, et dixit ei: Si Filius Dei es, mitte te deorsum. Scriptum est enim: Quia Angelis suis mandavit de te, et in manibus tollent te, ne forte offendas ad lapidem pedem tuum. Aid illi Iesus: Rursum scriptum est: Non tentabis Dominum Deum tuum. Iterum assumpsit eum diabolus in montem excelsum valde: et ostendit et omnia regna mundi, et gloriam eorum, et dixit ei: Haec omnia tibi dabo, si cadens adoraveris me. Tunc dicit ei Iesus: Vade Satana: scriptum est enim: Dominum Deum tuum adorabis: et illi soli servies. Tunc reliquit eum diabolus: et ecce Angeli accesserunt, et ministrabant ei.	At that time Jesus was lead by the Spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards He was hungry. And the tempter coming said to Him: If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. Who answered and said: It is written: Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God. Then the devil took Him up into the holy city and set Him upon the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him: If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down. For it is written: That He hath given His Angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear Thee up, lest perhaps Thou dash Thy foot against a stone. Jesus said to him: It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again the devil took Him up into a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, and said to Him: All these will I give Thee, if falling down Thou wilt adore me. Then Jesus saith to him: Begone Satan! for it is written: The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and Him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil left Him. And behold Angels came, and ministered to Him.
OFFERTORY ¤ Ps. 90. 4, 5
	Scapulis suis obumbrabit tibi Dominus, et sub pennis eius serabis: scuto circumdabit te veritas eius.	The Lord will overshadow thee with His shoulders, and under His wings thou shalt trust: His truth shall compass thee with a shield.
SECRET
	Sacrificium quadragesimalis initii solemniter immolamus te, Domine, deprecantes: ut cum epularum restrictione carnalium, a noxiis quoque voluptatibus temperemus. Per Dominum . . .	We solemnly offer to Thee, O Lord, the Sacrifice of the beginning of Lent, beseeching Thee: that while we restrain our carnal feasting, we may abstain also from harmful pleasures. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end.
PREFACE Preface for Lent
	Vere dignum et iustum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. Qui corporali ieiunio vitia comprimis, mentem elevas, virtutem largiris et praemia: per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quem maiestatem tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Coeli, coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim, socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti iubeas deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes:	It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; Who by this bodily fast, dost curb our vices, dost lift up our minds and bestow on us strength and rewards; through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise:
COMMUNION ¤ Ps. 90. 4, 5
	Scapulis suis obumbrabit tibi Dominus, et sub pennis eius serabis: scuto circumdabit te veritas eius.	The Lord will overshadow thee with His shoulders, and under His wings thou shalt trust: His truth shall compass thee with a shield.
POSTCOMMUNION
	Tui nos, Domine, sacramenti libatio sancta restauret: et a vetustate purgatos, in mysterii salutaris faciat transire consortium. Per Dominum . . .	May the holy reception of Thy Sacrament, O Lord, refresh us, that cleansing us from our old life, it may make us to pass into the fellowship of the saving Mystery. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end.


Ordinary Form (First Sunday of Lent)


Prophecy: Gen. 2:7-9; 3:1-7 (2:7-3:7)
The Lord God formed man of the slime of the earth: and breathed into his face the breath of life, and man became a living soul.   And the Lord God had planted a paradise of pleasure from the beginning: wherein he placed man whom he had formed. And the Lord God brought forth of the ground all manner of trees, fair to behold, and pleasant to eat of: the tree of life also in the midst of paradise: and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.


(And a river went out of the place of pleasure to water paradise, which from thence is divided into four heads. The name of the one is Phison: that is it which compasseth all the land of Hevilath, where gold groweth. And the gold of that land is very good: there is found bdellium, and the onyx stone. And the name of the second river is Gehon: the same is it that compasseth all the land of Ethiopia. And the name of the third river is Tigris: the same passeth along by the Assyrians. And the fourth river is Euphrates. And the Lord God took man, and put him into the paradise of pleasure, to dress it, and to keep it. And he commanded him, saying: Of every tree of paradise thou shalt eat: But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat. For in what day soever thou shalt eat of it, thou shalt die the death. And the Lord God said: It is not good for man to be alone: let us make him a help like unto himself. And the Lord God having formed out of the ground all the beasts of the earth, and all the fowls of the air, brought them to Adam to see what he would call them: for whatsoever Adam called any living creature the same is its name. And Adam called all the beasts by their names, and all the fowls of the air, and all the cattle of the field: but for Adam there was not found a helper like himself. Then the Lord God cast a deep sleep upon Adam: and when he was fast asleep, he took one of his ribs, and filled up flesh for it. And the Lord God built the rib which he took from Adam into a woman: and brought her to Adam. And Adam said: This now is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Wherefore a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be two in one flesh. And they were both naked: to wit, Adam and his wife: and were not ashamed.)


Now the serpent was more subtle than any of the beasts of the earth which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman: Why hath God commanded you, that you should not eat of every tree of paradise? And the woman answered him, saying: Of the fruit of the trees that are in paradise we do eat: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of paradise, God hath commanded us that we should not eat; and that we should not touch it, lest perhaps we die. And the serpent said to the woman: No, you shall not die the death. For God doth know that in what day soever you shall eat thereof, your eyes shall be opened: and you shall be as Gods, knowing good and evil. And the woman saw that the tree was good to eat, and fair to the eyes, and delightful to behold: and she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave to her husband, who did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened: and when they perceived themselves to be naked, they sewed together fig leaves, and made themselves aprons.




Responsorial: Ps. 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17
R: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. 


Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy.
And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.
Wash me yet more from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.


For I know my iniquity,
and my sin is always before me.
To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee:
that thou mayst be justified in thy words,
and mayst overcome when thou art judged. 


Create a clean heart in me, O God:
and renew a right spirit within my bowels.
Cast me not away from thy face;
and take not thy holy spirit from me.


Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation,
and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
O Lord, thou wilt open my lips:
and my mouth shall declare thy praise.


Epistle: Rom. 5:12-19
Brethren: As by one man sin entered into this world and by sin death: and so death passed upon all men, in whom all have sinned. For until the law sin was in the world: but sin was not imputed, when the law was not. But death reigned from Adam unto Moses, even over them also who have not sinned, after the similitude of the transgression of Adam, who is a figure of him who was to come. But not as the offence, so also the gift. For if by the offence of one, many died: much more the grace of God and the gift, by the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one sin, so also is the gift. For judgment indeed was by one unto condemnation: but grace is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned through one; much more they who receive abundance of grace and of the gift and of justice shall reign in life through one, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as by the offence of one, unto all men to condemnation: so also by the justice of one, unto all men to justification of life. For as by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners: so also by the obedience of one, many shall be made just.




Gospel: Mt. 4:1-11
At that time: Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he was hungry. And the tempter coming said to him: If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God. Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him upon the pinnacle of the temple, And said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written: That he hath given his angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said to him: It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, And said to him: All these will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me. Then Jesus saith to him: Begone, Satan: for it is written: The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil left him; and behold angels came and ministered to him.




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REFLECTIONS AND INSIGHTS  


God fashioned us for holiness, but because of the transgression of Adam, we are relegated to die, to suffer, to be tempted.


But as St. Paul said to us, one man may have condemned us to death, but one man also granted us eternal life, and that man is no other than Jesus Christ, the God-Man. Through Him, death no longer became a curse, but is now a gift, a reassurance that since the Divine became one with us except in sin--even to the point of death--we would also partake in His resurrection.


The Gospel of both Forms is one and the same: the temptation of Jesus.


Basically, the temptation of Satan to our Lord are all based on pride. And up to this day, the story does not only apply to us, but the said capital sin is also a looming threat to our souls. 


Personally, I just find it inspiring to have the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians as this Sunday's Epistle in the Old Form:


"In all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labors, in watchings, in fastings, in chastity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the power of God, by the armor of justice on the right hand and on the left: by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers and yet true, as unknown and yet known: as dying, and behold we live: as chastised and not killed: as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing: as needy, yet enriching many: as having nothing and possessing all things."


Simply, Paul reminds us to work for the Church and not be overcome by pride. In fact, it is the one message which is applied to myself.


You see, I should have had at least a citation in my graduation from college almost a year ago for being active in promoting the Catholic faith in everything I do, especially in social media. But none of these were recognized. At first, I felt bad because I had the most prominent access to the biggest personalities in Catholic apologetics, in the Latin Mass communities that helped in sowing into some souls in the University of Santo Tomas the "sense of the sacred" (myself included), and most importantly in the pro-life advocacy, even to the point that I have spent a 200-hour internship just to have a connection between the Pontifical University and the governing body of the Episcopal College in these islands; and none of these were honoured just because I have neither Latin honour nor academic achievements.

But when I tried to look at the brighter side of things, I realized that these citations and lauds would not be important or even necessary in the long run since it may have the tendency to be limited to what I have done in college. One of the things that still ring into my mind was when a temporarily-professed nun who studied Engineering in UST for two years before entering the convent told me during the Catholic Social Media Summit last November that I was "a blessing to the Thomasian Community". Well, too much flattering for her part, but I soon realized that I indeed played my part in the salvation of souls as a student in a 21-hectare patch of green amidst the concrete jungle which is Sampaloc, Manila, even if it was too insignificant to cite in the first place. In short, she considered that insignificant role I may have done during my stint as a blessing. 

Somehow, I am learning not to rest on any laurels or pursue on having one because of pride. Even Christ Himself retreated to the mountaintop when the 5,000 would like to proclaim Him King of the Jews after the multiplication of the loaves of bread. As an end to my personal sharing, I have already "moved on" from all the disappointments that may have developed from all these frustrations. These things may still tempt me to be resenting, but I pray to our Lord that I may imitate Him not to take the credit unless He approves it. For some reason, we must always utter these words whenever we achieve something: "Non nobis, Domine; sed Nomine Tuo da gloriam." "Not on us, Lord; but on Thy Name be the glory."


So this is the bottom line: All temptations are based on pride, on the advancement of our egoistic agenda. It is good to know that from the very start of His public ministry, Jesus emphasized the virtue of humility. He challenges us to combat pride by doing a reality check on ourselves whether we are working for the Church because charity rules over us or we are working for the Church only because of the praise we would get from the people. If Jesus--becoming man without abandoning His divinity--was tempted by Satan and successfully condemned its tricks, this means we can also be successful in repealing the Devil's temptations, provided that we stick behind our Lord, our Lady, and all the angels and saints.


And so we ask: Am I brave enough to combat pride by humility and disregard to earthly praise as Jesus and Mary did?


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PRAYING THE COLLECT


 O God, who dost purify Thy Church by the yearly observance of Lent: grant to Thy household, that what we strive to obtain from Thee by abstinence, we may achieve by good works. Grant, almighty God, through the yearly observances of holy Lent, that we may grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ and by worthy conduct pursue their effects.




Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end. Amen. 

Every act of charity counts: Reflections and insights on the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time and Septuagesima Sunday

As Fr. Jojo Zerrudo preached in his sermon in the last official day of the Christmas Season: "The days of feasting are over. The days of fasting draw near." The readings and propers of both Forms of the Mass are beginning to show its penitent character.

Indeed, the days of fasting draw near.

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READINGS AND PROPERS

Extraordinary Form (Septuagesima Sunday)

INTROIT ¤ Ps. 17. 5-7

Circumdederunt me gemitus mortus, dolores inferni circumdederunt me: et in tribulatione mea invocavi Dominum, et exaudivit de templo sancto suo vocem meam. -- Diligam te, Domine, fortitudo mea: Dominus firmamentum meum, et refugium meum, et liberator meus. V.: Gloria Patri . . . -- Circumdederunt me gemitus . . .

The sorrows of death surrounded me, the sorrows of hell encompassed me; and in my affliction I called upon the Lord, and He heard my voice from His holy temple. -- (Ps.17. 2, 3). I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength: the Lord is my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer. V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- The sorrows of death surrounded me . . .

The Gloria in Excelsis is not said.

COLLECT.--Graciously hear, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the prayers of Thy people, that we, who are justly afflicted for our sins, may for the glory of Thy Name, be mercifully delivered. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end.

EPISTLE ¤ 1 Cor. 9. 24-27; 10. 1-5

Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians.

[The Apostle St. Paul compares our life to an arena where we must fight and mortify ourselves, if we wish to obtain the victory.]

   Brethren, Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain. And every one that striveth for the mastery refraineth himself from all things; and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible one. I therefore so run, not as at an uncertainty; I so fight, not as one beating the air: but I chastise my body, and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway. For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all in Moses were baptized, in the cloud and in the sea: and did all eat the same spiritual food, and drank the same spiritual drink: (that they drank of the spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.) But with most of them God was not well pleased.

GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 101. 16-17

Adjutor in opportunitatibus, in tribulatione: sperent in te, quo noverunt te: quoniam non derelinquis quaerentes te, Domine. V.: Quoniam non in finem oblivio erit pauperis: patientia pauperum non peribit in aeternum: exsurge, Domine, non praevaleat homo.

A Helper in due time in tribulation: let them trust in Thee who know Thee: for Thou hast not forsaken them that seek Thee, O Lord. V.: For the poor man shall not be forgotten to the end: the patience of the poor shall not perish for ever: arise, O Lord, let not man prevail.

TRACT ¤ Ps. 129. 1-4

De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine: Domine, exaudi vocem meam. V.: Fiant aures tuae intendentes in orationem servi tui. V.: Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine: Domine, quis sustinebit? V.: Quia apud te propitiatio est, et propter legem uam sustinui te, Domine.

Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord: Let Thine ears be attentive to the prayer of Thy servant. V.: If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it? V.: For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness, and by reason of Thy law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.

GOSPEL ¤ Matth. 20. 1-16

† Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

[The parable of the vineyard shows us that we must all work to obtain the reward of eternal life.]

   At that time Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable: The kingdom of God is like to a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers in his vineyard. And having agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market place idle, and he said to them: Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be just. And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour: and did in like manner. But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he saith to them: Why stand you here all the day idle? The say to him: Becase no man hath hired us. He saith to them: Go you also into my vineyard. And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: Call the laborers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first. When therefore they were come that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: and they also received every man a penny. And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house, saying: These last have worked but one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us that have borne the burden of the day and the heats. But he answering said to one of them: Friend, I do thee no wrong; didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take what is thine and go thy way: I will also give to this last even as to thee. Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So shall the last be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.

OFFERTORY ¤ Ps. 91. 2

Bonum est confiteri Domino, et psallere nomini tuo, Altissime.

It is good to give praise to the Lord, and to sing to Thy Name, O Most High.

SECRET.--Receive our offerings and prayers, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and both cleanse us by these heavenly mysteries, and graviously hear us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end.

PREFACE

Preface of the Most Holy Trinity

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. Qui cum unigenito Filio tuo, et Spiritu Sancto, unus es Deus, unus es Dominus: non in unius singularitate personae, sed in unius Trinitate substantiae. Quod enim de tua gloria, revelante te, credimus, hoc de Filio tuo, hoc de Spiritu Sancto, sine differentia discretionis sentimus. Ut in confessione verae, sempiternaeque Deitatis, et in personis proprietas, et in essentia unitas, et in majestate adoretur aequalitas. Quam laudant Angeli atque Archangeli, Cherubim quoque ac Seraphim: qui non cessant clamare quotidie, una voce dicentes:

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; Who, together with Thine only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, art one God, one Lord: not in the oneness of a single Person, but in the Trinity of one substance. For what we believe by Thy revelation of Thy glory, the same do we believe of Thy Son, the same of the Holy Ghost, without difference or separation. So that in confessing the true and everlasting Godhead, distinction in persons, unity in essence, and equality in majesty may be adored. Which the Angels and Archangels, the Cherubim also and Seraphim do praise: who cease not daily to cry out, with one voice saying:

COMMUNION ¤ Ps. 30. 17-18

Illumina faciem tuam super servum tuum, et salvum me fac in tua misericordia: Domine, non confundar, quoniam invocavi te.

Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant, and save me in Thy mercy: let me not be confounded, O Lord, for I have called upon Thee.

POSTCOMMUNION.--May Thy faithful people, O God, be strengthened by Thy gifts; that in receiving them, they may seek after them the more, and in seeking them, may receive them for ever. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end.

Ordinary Form (Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Prophecy: Sir. 15:15-20

God added His commandments and precepts. If thou wilt keep the commandments and perform acceptable fidelity for ever, they shall preserve thee. He hath set water and fire before thee: stretch forth thy hand to which thou wilt. Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him: For the wisdom of God is great, and he is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing. The eyes of the Lord are towards them that fear him, and he knoweth all the work of man.

Responsorial: Ps. 119: 1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34

R: Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord. 

Blessed are the undefiled in the way,

who walk in the law of the Lord.

Blessed are they that search his testimonies:

that seek him with their whole heart.

Thou hast commanded thy commandments

to be kept most diligently.

O! that my ways may be directed

to keep thy justifications.

Give bountifully to thy servant, enliven me:

and I shall keep thy words.

Open thou my eyes: and I will consider

the wondrous things of thy law.

Set before me for a law the way of thy justifications, O Lord:

and I will always seek after it.

Give me understanding, and I will search thy law;

and I will keep it with my whole heart.

Epistle: I Cor. 2:6-10

Brethren: Howbeit we speak wisdom among the perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, neither of the princes of this world that come to nought. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, a wisdom which is hidden, which God ordained before the world, unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew. For if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written: That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard: neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him. But to us God hath revealed them by his Spirit. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Gospel: Mt. 5: 17-37

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one title shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath anything against thee; Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother, and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift. Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst thou art in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing.

You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. And if thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. For it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than thy whole body be cast into hell. And if thy right hand scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy whole body go into hell. And it hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, excepting the cause of fornication, maketh her to commit adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery.

Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, thou shalt not forswear thyself: but thou shalt perform thy oaths to the Lord. But I say to you not to swear at all, neither by heaven for it is the throne of God: Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king: Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil.

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REFLECTIONS AND INSIGHTS

The Son of Sirach said: If thou wilt keep the commandments…they shall preserve thee (15:16).  And the Psalmist concurs: Blessed are they who walk in the law of the Lord (119 [118]:1).

As we reflect the readings in the Ordinary Form, we realize that it is about the Commandments and how our Lord fulfilled and perfected it. In the Epistle, St. Paul exhorts that keeping them is following the wisdom of God.

As for the Gospel: since we believe that Jesus is God, He today fulfills the Commandments He Himself gave to Moses. It can be divided into four parts:

First is about the summary of His public ministry. It is quite evident that Jesus told the crowds right from the very start that He came "not to destroy the Commandments, but to fulfill it." And He did this by symplifying it to the point that He gave cases of violations of such.

Second: He promulgated that anger and bitterness as a sin against the Fifth Commandment. He told the disciples that anger, bitterness, and even envy is considered murder: that is, murder against one's name and reputation. This can also be (obviously) applicable to the Fourth and Eighth Commandments for the aforementioned reasons.

Third: Jesus considered lust, and even greed and avarice as a sin against the Sixth Commandment, and can be extended also for the Ninth in a direct manner, and for the Seventh and Tenth in an indirect one. In the Epistle of the Old Form, St. Paul exhorted to the Corinthians in his first letter that our life on earth is but a struggle. In order to be victorious, we must immerse ourselves in mortification, that even him who is the Apostle to the Gentiles is subject to it.

Finally: Jesus defined swearing as a sin against the Second Commandment, as well as the First and the Third. Now, many non-Catholic Bible extremists say that oaths that have the lines "…do solemnly swear…" and "…So help me God." are against what the Lord said when He said not to swear at all "neither by heaven for it is the throne of God: Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king: Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil" (Mt. 5:34-37). But this is too extreme an explanation, even unorthodox. What the Lord really meant was very simple: Never to use the name of the Lord in vain. We can also say that swearing is also another form of pride and sloth, since we say such vain words, yet oftentimes we do not fulfill them, especially if it is a promise.

These three divisions of Christ's teachings are really hard ones, since He covered all ten of the Commandments He gave to Moses back then. You and I cannot escape the guilt we feel whenever we hear or read this portion of the Gospels because it is meant to be a wake-up call to all of us that if we choose to be brave by conquering this world as part of the Empire of Christ, we must keep ourselves vigilant. That is why with only a few weeks before Lent begins, the propers of the Extraordinary Form already is in a penitent mood. That is the reason why purple is used starting Septuagesima Sunday all the way to Holy Week.

In the Old Rite, we reflect on the Gospel where Jesus told the parable of the vineyard, its lord and its workers. We understand that God does not care if we are called to the Church in an earlier or a later part of our lives. The daily wage in that parable is synonymous to eternal life; and this only shows that every single soul on earth has a shot for glory that lasts--the one that our Lord is giving to those who worked for Him. No matter if some work hard for the Church or others lax in it, no one is above the Lord or below those who work more for the Church.

In short: Elitism and careerism must be avoided.

And in speaking of careerism, we laud Pope Francis for reforming the conferring of the title "Monsignor" by limiting it to priests aged 85 and above. However, we also look forward to the day when His Holiness would require every diocese and archdiocese in the world to bring back the Cathedral Chapter, or a council of priests who closely collaborate with their local Ordinary (and of course, wearing a black mantilla would be an extra point).

So, this is the bottom line: Keeping the Commandments is a must for us Christians. But it does not mean that being involved in the Church will make us holier than those who, through no fault of their own, cannot fully commit to the salvation of souls (i.e., those who have day-jobs). Maybe instead of growing in holiness, full-time lay Church workers might grow out of it and into a life of dichotomy if not checked, wherein one is only holy on Sundays and leaves the thought of promoting God in the pews for the next six days.

Now let us take the example of St. Joseph. He is just an ordinary carpenter in Nazareth, yet he is exalted by God for being the prince over the Child Jesus and Mary in their home to make sure that their needs may be met. Of course, having the Lord of Heaven as his ward was an extra advantage, but it is more of his obedience to God to be the foster-father of the Word Incarnate and immersing Him to a life of simplicity and poverty that made St. Joseph the champion of Christian families.

And since we are still in that sense of giddiness that St. Valentine's Day brings (yes, people: February 14th was the feast of a priest-martyr named Valentinus), we can still apply the lesson of charity for this insight: that loving God means (1) obeying His statutes and (2) making efforts, no matter how small, in persuading others to do so.

Besides, for God, every act of charity counts.

And so we ask ourselves: Am I committed to bravery by loving God by following the example of Christ, His Son, and Mary, His handmaid, when it comes to keeping the commandments and making others do so without discrimination?

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PRAYING THE COLLECT  

Graciously hear, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the prayers of Thy people, that we, who are justly afflicted for our sins, may for the glory of Thy Name, be mercifully delivered. O Thou, who teacheth us that Thou abideth in hearts that are just and true, grant that we may be so fashioned by Thy grace as to become a dwelling pleasing to Thee.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end. Amen.