(REMINISCERE)
The
Introit of this day's Mass, which begins with the word Reminiscere,
from which this Sunday derives its name, is the prayer of a soul
begging God's assistance, that she may sin no more:
INTROIT
Remember, O Lord, Thy compassions and Thy mercies, which are
from the beginning, lest at any time our enemies rule over us:
deliver us O God of Israel, from all our tribulations. To Thee O
Lord, have I lifted up my soul: in Thee, O my God, I put my trust;
let me not be ashamed. (Psalms 24) Glory be to the Father, etc.
COLLECT
O God, who seest us to be destitute of strength, keep us both
inwardly and outwardly; that we may be defended in the body from all
adversities, and cleansed in our mind from all evil thoughts. Through
our Lord, etc.
EPISTLE
(I Thessalonians 4:1-7.)
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 over-reach 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; in Christ Jesus our Lord.
EXPLANATION
From these words we see, that the great Teacher of Nations as
carefully showed the Christian congregations the sanctity of their
calling, as he labored to lead them from the blindness and
abominations of heathenism.
ASPIRATION
Grant, O God, that I may live an honest, chaste and holy life
in accordance with my vocation, and go not after earthly and carnal
pleasures, as the heathens who know Thee not.
GOSPEL
(Matthew 17:1-9.)
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.
Why
was Christ transfigured in the presence of His apostles on Mount
Thabor?
To
permit them to see the glorious majesty of His divinity; to guard
them from doubts when they should afterwards see Him die on Mount
Calvary; to encourage the disciples and all the faithful to be
patient in all crosses and afflictions, for the bodies of the just at
the resurrection will be made like the glorified body of Christ.
(Phil. III. 21.)
Why
did Moses and Elias appear there?
That
they might testify, that Jesus was really the Saviour announced by
the law and the prophets, and that the law and the prophets received
fulfillment in Him. The former was represented by Moses, the latter
by Elias.
Why,
did Peter wish to build three tabernacles there?
The
delightful sweetness of the apparition in which Jesus made him
participator so enraptured him, that he knew not what he said, not
considering that glory can be attained only through sufferings, the
crown through fight, joy through crosses and afflictions.
ASPIRATION
Draw us, O Jesus, to Thee, that by the contemplation of the
sacred joys awaiting us, we, by Thy grace, may not be defeated in the
spiritual contest, but conquer through Thy grace and carry off the
unfading crown of victory.
--
Goffine's Devout Instructions
