Peter, James and John would have only a brief moment of this great vision, then it would disappear and they would look up to see “only Jesus alone with them.”

Peter, James and John were specially loved by Jesus. They were with Jesus at the raising of the daughter of Jairus. “He would not permit anyone to follow him except Peter, James and James’ brother John” (Mark 5:37). These three would also be closest to him during the agony in the Garden (Mark 14:33).

In the event of the Transfiguration the whole Trinity was made manifest. St. Thomas Aquinas explains the meaning of the Transfiguration. “Just as in the Baptism, where the mystery of the first regeneration was proclaimed, the operation of the whole Trinity was made manifest because the Son Incarnate was there, the Holy Spirit appeared under the form of a dove, and the Father made known in the voice; so also in the Transfiguration, which is the sign of the second generation (the Resurrection), the whole Trinity appears—the Father in the voice, the Son in innocence, as signified by the simplicity of the dove, so in the Resurrection he will give his elect the clarity of glory and refreshment from every form of evil, as signified by the bright cloud.”

The eyes of the Apostles could not look at the brilliance of the vision and fell with their faces to the ground. When they looked up they saw “only Jesus.” Jesus wanted to give them a glimpse of himself in glory. Jesus had told them of the coming arrest and crucifixion. They were told that they also, his followers, would have to suffer and die with him. Later, St. Paul in his preaching about Jesus would say, “it is the same Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Rom. 8:16-17).

The Apostles were unable to understand the profound truth of the death and resurrection of the Lord. They and all of the Jews expected that the Messiah would be one who would be glorious and triumphant. They expected that the Messiah would be a great leader who would rally the people to overthrow the tyranny of the Romans. They expected the Messiah would be one who would make the Jews the rulers of the world. They misunderstood that the kingdom of Jesus would be from within. A kingdom of hearts. And so the Apostles kept silent. They did not question Jesus about the resurrection.

Some years ago a priest was visiting a university and while there he decided to go to a priest who was a chaplain for the students. At the end of the visit with the chaplain, the chaplain said to the priest, “I think you have a very tough assignment. I could not do your job myself. But, whatever difficulties you have to face, remember that Jesus is at the end of the road.” Perhaps that is a simple way of stating the purpose of Jesus transfiguring himself for these three Apostles.

For many, life brings great suffering. For many, life never has anything of the comforts and delightful things that life can give.

A bishop, and great retreat-master, once said that he spent his life studying and thinking about the reasons for suffering. The problem of pain is as old as the questions of Job. The bishop said that there was no answer to suffering other than that our Divine Lord came to earth and put himself into it. There is no answer to the crucifixion other than the answers given by Faith.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that suffering is a consequence of original sin. It can bring a union with the passion of Christ. With suffering a person can unite himself closely with the Passion of Christ. This gives meaning to suffering. It should never be wasted and the sufferer with faith must know that “Jesus is at the end of the road.”

Some years ago there was a religious publication with the title Cross and Crown. The cross must come before the Crown. Jesus said his followers should take up their cross every day.

It is a strange thing to often see how those who are crippled, those who have some great cross to bear seem to have such cheer. Often it is because of their great acceptance of what God wants them to carry through life. It is these faithful religious souls who can be responsible for the salvation of many who are so occupied with the material things of the world that they never have time to give a thought to God, to the least of God’s children who suffer hardship and are deprived often even of the necessities of life.

Sometimes God can ask the extreme of one of his children. Years ago after the Chinese Communists took over China, they put a Catholic Bishop in a prison cell. Considered an enemy of the country and a spy, he was tortured for months. He would be forced to stay awake for long periods of time. When he was allowed to rest, he would sleep on a vermin infested mat. If he tried to scratch the vermin, he was struck on the head.

Eventually he was released and allowed to be carried over the border by one of his community. The Communists did not want to make any martyrs. For a long period of time he was kept by his community in recovery with a religious Brother to take care of him.

After he recovered, he was visiting the hospital one day and went into the room of a little girl. He asked, “Why are you here child?” She said, “Bishop, they are going to take out my eyes. God is going to take my eyes.” The Bishop wondered what to say. This Bishop who had suffered so much torture for his faith said “My dear, don’t let God take your eyes, give them to Him.” He hoped and prayed that the little girl would have the faith to know that one day she would receive her eyes back and that she would see the vision of God for all eternity.

God made us to be happy with him forever in heaven. This is a simple truth which is learned as a foundation of our faith. Jesus was telling his Apostles to have hope. Their suffering would lead to a reward. That reward would to be in glory with Jesus for all eternity.

The Mass is divided into two sections:

1. The Liturgy of the Word



2. The Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The Preface is always introduced by a dialogue prayer: The priest says, The Lord be with you. The people respond: “And also with you.” The priest says, Lift up your hearts. The people respond: “We lift them up to the Lord.” The priest says, Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. The people say: “It is right to give him thanks and praise.” In this way an announcement of the Eucharist is made that the great narrative of the Mass is coming and that the particular theme of this Mass is being set. We are all reminded that we are preparing our minds and hearts to know that the presence of Christ is with us, that we are lifting up our hearts and minds to him, and that we want to give him thanks and praise. This is our joy, this is our obligation. The Mass is the greatest prayer and we are disposing ourselves to return ourselves to God who made us, to the one who is our beginning and our end, and so we always end the Preface by reciting or singing together: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

We might take a look at the Sunday Prefaces. These are the ones we hear and respond to most as they occupy the Sundays when most of the faithful go to Mass. There are seven of these prefaces, each with a different theme, and the Celebrant may choose any one of them. Let us look at the first preface. “Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Here we stress one of the first reasons we attend Mass—to give thanks to our God for all that he is and all that we have.

“Through his cross and resurrection he freed us from sin and death. . . .” We are thanking God for this. “Everywhere we proclaim your mighty works, for you have called us out of darkness into your own wonderful light.” Here we are offering adoration to God for all his works and giving us the graces to know him and his works.

We are made to know and adore God and we proclaim: “And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven, we proclaim your glory, and join in their unending hymn of praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. All of the prefaces end with this response. If we give the response our best attention and devotion, we will find it enriches our spirit and brings us closer to God, who is the object of our being.

The second preface of Sunday calls to our minds the Mystery of Salvation; the fourth recalls the History of Salvation, and so on. They can always be used as great prayers and meditations.

Since the Second Vatican Council and its document on the Liturgy, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the Church has given four Eucharistic Prayers to be said at the Mass. Ordinarily there will be an announcement of which one the priest is using.

The reason for the four Eucharistic Prayers is to offer a variety of prayers to express our adoration of God.

The first of these is Eucharistic Prayer I and is called the Roman Canon. It is usually used during the special seasons of the year as: the Easter Season and the Christmas Season because these seasons have an octave, that is, the seasonal Mass is continued for eight days.

The Eucharistic Prayers which the people hear most are Eucharistic Prayer II and III. The fourth Eucharistic Prayer is usually used when the Mass is attended by a group of religious and has a more detailed expression of Jesus’ saving actions for us.

Often we have heard someone, usually a young person, say “I don’t get anything out of the Mass.” And, the answer one wants to give immediately is, “How much did you prepare to put into the Mass?” Does praying take any effort, or is it supposed to be entertainment?

Once an English priest was spending some time in this country. In giving a talk on Mass attendance and the point of getting something out of it, he told how he was assigned as a chaplain at a Catholic school. He was to be chaplain of the football team and he said that being from England he knew nothing about the game and found it very boring but, he said, he knew it was his job and that he had better learn if he was to deal spiritually with the players. He learned the game. Very shortly he found himself interested in it. He was excited about every game. He got a lot out of it. The same attention should be given to Mass.

Whether the Mass is celebrated in a great cathedral or in a small chapel, it is the same Mass. It is the same Memorial of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Many people might attend a concert but no two people get the same out of it. One person might read the program ahead of time, even listen to some of the music on records. Another person might know the history of all the composers and the history of the works they are going to hear. Others may just go and listen. Others may sometimes fall asleep, but they are there. Their intention to be there is right.

During the Second World War, there was a person who worked in a war plant. This person was unable to participate in the War and could not enter the army because of physical disability. He went to Mass every day and worked at a war plant.

In those days many went to work in “car pools.” This person arranged to be picked up on the corner across from the church where he attended Mass. The people in the car did not know that he went to Mass or was even a Catholic. After he got into the car, the driver looked at the people coming out of the church. He remarked in admiration, “They really have it, don’t they.” The person attending Mass was doing more than he realized. He was witnessing to his belief.

The great layman, Frank Sheed, who spent his life in writing about, teaching and preaching the faith said, “The most important thing we do is the Mass.” An old Irish saying is, “If we keep the Mass, the Mass will keep us.”

In the Byzantine Liturgy there is a beautiful prayer expressing this: “In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death.”

The Doctrine of the Assumption was the only declared exercise of papal infallibility in the twentieth century. Pope Pius XII, after consultation with all the bishops of the Catholic Church, on November 1, 1950, proclaimed the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary a doctrine of the Faith. The dogma of the Assumption states that Mary was taken up body and soul into heaven, after the completion of her earthly life. She fell asleep in the Lord. By reason of her Immaculate Conception she should not suffer the consequences of original sin. These teachings were always believed by Catholics throughout the Christian centuries. The declaration of them infallibly by the Pope gave Christians a further reason for the devotion and strength which these beautiful teachings have for the faithful.

All of us have admired the great work that Mother Teresa of Calcutta has done in this century among the poorest of God’s poor in the world. One time a tourist, who was not brought up with Catholic faith, and knew little of Catholic teaching about Mary, said to Mother Teresa, “I so much admire your great work but I do not understand your devotion to Mary. Shouldn’t you think only of Jesus?” Mother Teresa responded that without the Mother there would be no Son, and that Mary was our mother also.

Mary’s role in the Church cannot be separated from her union with Christ and Mary’s role flows directly from her relation with Jesus. So does our love and devotion for Mary flow directly from her union with her divine Son.

The Vatican Council document Lumen Gentium states “This union of the mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ’s virginal conception up to his death”; it is made manifest above all at the hour of the Passion: Thus the Blessed Virgin advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully persevered in her union with her Son unto the cross. There she stood, in keeping with the divine plan, enduring with her only begotten Son the intensity of his suffering, joining herself with his sacrifice in her mother’s heart, and lovingly consenting to the immolation of this victim, born of her: to be given, by the same Christ Jesus dying on the cross, as a mother to his disciple, with these words, “Woman, behold your son.”

The Vatican II document Lumen Gentium tells us that “After her Son’s Ascension, Mary aided the beginnings of the Church by her prayers.” In her association with the apostles and several women, “we also see Mary by her prayers imploring the gift of the Spirit, who had already overshadowed her in the Annunciation.”

Devotion to Mary began at the very beginning of the Church. In the Gospel of St. Luke we read in Mary’s beautiful Canticle, “Behold from now on will all ages call me blessed” (Luke 1:48). The beautiful “Mother of God” has been attributed to her from very ancient times. The very early Christians left her name and image scratched on the walls of the catacombs.

Catholics have always prayed to her and asked for her protection. “Mary, show yourself a mother.” “Pray for us, O holy mother of God, that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.”

Perhaps no more frequent devotion is given to her than through the recitation of the holy rosary. It is called Mary’s favorite prayer. From Lepanto to Fatima the rosary has been given great attention. It is believed by the faithful that the recitation of the rosary for the intention of the collapse of Soviet Communism and totalitarianism and the persecution of Christians was brought about by the faithful reciting the rosary for this intention. There are many litanies said to Mary and these express many of the titles of devotion given to her: Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, Mother of Christ, Mother of divine grace, Mother of good counsel, Virgin most venerable, and many more.

Sometimes Catholics have been criticized for giving too much devotion to Mary. All devotion to her is also devotion to her Son Jesus Christ. A preacher once said, “There is one thing that Jesus will never mind, and that is an effort to love his mother too much.”

“Pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death.” How many millions of times that prayer is said every day! It has been taught throughout the centuries. Another wonderful prayer to be said at the end of the day is, “Jesus, Mary and Joseph—be with me when I die.”

Mary is in Heaven. That is our final goal. No other goal is worthwhile if our final goal is not reached. Remember the simple and beautiful answer we learned as children—in answer to the question “Why did God make you?” We answered: “To know Him, love Him, serve Him and to be happy with Him forever in Heaven.” No matter how learned or sophisticated a person becomes in their faith, that question and answer will never be improved upon.

In today’s Catechism of the Catholic Church the faithful are taught that Mary is not only related to the Church and to all humanity but also, “In a wholly singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope, and burning charity in the Savior’s work of restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is mother to us in the order of grace.”

Mary taught us the perfect prayer when she pronounced her “fiat” at the Annunciation and gave her consent to conceive a son because it is what God asked of her. She did not know how this would be done, but she placed herself trustingly in the hands of God. Whatever God asked was the perfect thing to be done.

At the Wedding Feast of Cana, after bringing to her son’s attention the problem of a shortage of wine, which would embarrass the young wedding couple, Mary said to the chief steward, “Do whatever he tells you.” And, the scripture tells us that Jesus worked the first of his miracles by changing water into wine. What beautiful advice from our Heavenly Mother, “Do whatever he tells you.”

There is today an erroneous idea about that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a “meal” and that this is what should be emphasized. It is first of all a sacrificial memorial. Jesus said to his Apostles, “Do this in memory of me.” Let us simply read and listen to the words which the Church gives us in the sacramentary (altar missal):

As all of the faithful come into Mass they notice that the altar is the center of the church. It is on the altar that the Mass (the Eucharist, the Paschal sacrifice) will be offered. They should think of the altar as the altar of sacrifice and as the table of the Lord. The Christian altar is the symbol of Christ—that is why the priest kisses it as he begins the Mass. The altar is there in the midst of the assembly of all the faithful. Jesus is offered as a victim of sacrifice (as he was on Calvary) and as food from heaven who is giving himself to us. Then, Jesus’ Body being on the altar, the faithful are invited “Take this and eat it, all of you.”

All of us remember our first Holy Communion. Perhaps our understanding of what we were doing was not very complete. Much depended upon the fervor of the teacher who had the great privilege of preparing children for their first Holy Communion. Much depends upon the parents of the child and the parents’ own devotion to Holy Communion.

There are so many wonderful responses to this great truth of our Faith. Many converts, many Protestant Ministers who have become Catholics express their surprise that so many “born Catholics” are indifferent to this great invitation of Jesus to receive his body. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him” (John 6:54-56).

A woman who became a convert to the Catholic faith said that her desire to become a Catholic began while she was sitting at the window on a very cold Sunday morning and she witnessed Catholics on the way to Mass. She asked herself, “Why are they going? What is it that they believe?” Then she said to herself, “I am going to find out. I want what they have.” There are people who have never missed a day of Holy Communion in their lives. They have made great sacrifices to find a Mass and go to the table of the Lord.

“Truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53). What type of life is our Lord speaking of? He said, “I have come that you might have everlasting life.” It is the “Pearl of Great Price.” How often we should meditate on that great parable of our Lord.

Catholics, first of all, should be conscious of their dispositions as they prepare themselves to receive Holy Communion. St. Paul, in the first century, urged Christians to examine their conscience. “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself” (1 Cor. 11:27-29). A person who is really conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to Communion.

The faithful should be conscious of the disposition of their soul and observe the fast before receiving Holy Communion. The fast means to have nothing to drink or eat an hour before Communion is received.

Remember that we are receiving Jesus Christ. Remember that we are receiving spiritual food. It is good to know the fruits, the benefits of Holy Communion. It increases our union with Christ. As material food produces bodily life in us, so Holy Communion increases our spiritual life.

One of the great saints simplified the spiritual life by saying: “Avoid sin and strive to grow in grace.” Such should be the dispositions that one who is striving to grow in holiness should strive for. Holy Communion separates us from sin. Jesus gave his body for us and he invites us to receive it. He shed his blood for us and he invites us to drink it. Therefore the Eucharist cannot unite us to Christ without at the same time cleansing us from past sins and preserving us from future sins. There are times when a person cannot receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. There is seldom a time when a person cannot make a “Spiritual Communion.” Years ago we were taught this beautiful devotion by the sisters who taught it.

One of the great modern theologians of our times wrote an article on Spiritual Communion. He said in a certain way Catholics already possess what they desire. Although they cannot for some reason or time go to sacramental communion, they can always desire the Lord.

We were taught as children to pray: “Jesus, although I cannot receive you sacramentally please come spiritually into my soul. Into my heart.” There is nothing Jesus desires more than to be united with his children.

For those who would really like to improve their dispositions for Holy Communion, there are some wonderful books. Some were written centuries ago but have never been out of print.

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas á Kempis was written over five hundred years ago. Many great saints used it. Spiritual writers have said that it stands only second to the Bible. It has been a favorite of many who are not Catholics. It is divided into four parts. The fourth section is devoted entirely to the Holy Eucharist. Anyone who wishes to increase his devotion to the Holy Eucharist should obtain a copy.

The other wonderful book is Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales. It has an excellent instruction of frequent Communion and how we ought to communicate. These books are worth our time and study. They will reward and enrich us.

We learned years ago that there are three parts to the Mass: Offertory, Consecration, and Communion. All of these three parts are very much in the Mass, but they did not give the clear description that we should have of it. Today we learn that the Mass consists of two parts. Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist.

But what does “Liturgy” mean? The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “The word ‘liturgy’ originally meant a ‘public work’ or a ‘service in the name of/on behalf of the people.’” In Christian tradition it means the participation of the People of God in “the work of God.” Through the liturgy Christ, our redeemer and high priest, continues the work of our redemption, with, and through his Church. This means all of you present here this morning. You are God’s people. You are here publicly to participate in the worship of God in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

You are here to participate in the proclamation of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and assembled to pray and go from the Mass in a greater spirit and practice of charity. In this way you are serving God and your neighbor. You are all members of Christ’s Mystical Body. Christ is the head of this body, all of you are members of it.

Liturgy must be understood as a work of Christ. It is an action of his Church. When a priest baptizes, that is liturgy. When Catholics receive reconciliation, that is liturgy. When a bishop comes to give the sacrament of Confirmation, that is liturgy. The Church is present and engages the faithful in the new life of the community of believers in the new life of prayer. All present are involved in this worship of God and are participating in the way God has given us to grow in holiness.

When we speak of the “Liturgical Year” we mean following the worship that the Church offers us to follow the life of Christ. It is a way of renewing the whole history of our salvation. It has a history, simply meaning that it had a starting point and will lead to a goal.

The greatest feast which the Church celebrates is the feast of the Resurrection—Easter Sunday. Easter comes at the end of Holy Week, the holiest week of the year. Easter is “The Feast of feasts,” the “Solemnity of solemnities,” as the Catechism teaches. It celebrates the mystery of the Resurrection, without which our life would have no meaning. It celebrates Jesus Christ, our Lord, conquering death.

The entire liturgical year keeps us aware of the life of our Savior by taking us through the great events of Jesus’ life. It begins with the Season of Advent which leads us to the great feast of Christmas, the birth of our Lord. This is followed up by the Season of Lent which leads us to Easter, the Ascension of our Lord, and the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, which celebrates the “birthday” of the Church. During the year the Church keeps the memorials of the saints, the Mother of God, feasts of the Apostles, the martyrs of the Christian centuries, and all the great saints. On November 1 it celebrates the “Feast of All Saints” for all the men and women of history who have given their lives to God. Then on the second of November it celebrates the feast of “All the Faithful Departed” or “All Souls Day” for those who have been faithful and are waiting for the entrance to Heaven.

Since the end of the years of persecution, the Church has always built churches where the faithful gather for the purpose of worshiping God and receiving the sacraments which had been left to us by Christ for the growth of his life in our souls. It is in these churches that the faithful gather every Sunday and weekday to celebrate the Liturgy—together and privately to worship the Holy Trinity. It is here that they hear the word of God at Mass and receive his sacred body and blood in Holy Communion.

In these churches the faithful can make visits to the real presence of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. The Lord is always reserved for the purpose of being available to members of the faithful who may need to receive him in Holy Communion if they are sick, or merely for the purpose of paying him a visit for a time of personal and quiet prayer.

During the Seasons of Advent and Lent a special effort is made to offer the faithful extra opportunities to participate in the Liturgy. Particularly during the season of Lent it is urged that the faithful make an effort to attend Mass every day. In most parishes an evening Mass is scheduled so that a Catholic may have the opportunity to go to Mass every day during Lent in preparation for the great feast of Easter. It is recommended that special preparation is given to the effort of receiving the great graces from God which are the fruits of the sacraments.

There are and have always been Catholics who have gone to Mass every day. They have a great gift of appreciation of the invitation of the Lord. They do not limit this great practice to the seasons of Advent and Lent. They want to be fed with the flesh and blood of our Lord. They believe that just as a person would not go without bodily food, even for a day, they do not want to go without the spiritual food of our Lord even for a day.

These faithful people have a great gift of faith in the Blessed Sacrament. They consider whatever sacrifices they have to make as very small in comparison to the great gift they receive.

They wish to make the effort to unite themselves to the Lord. They strive to receive Communion with great reverence and know that they receive the graces to grow and always be conscious of keeping their souls disposed for this great sacrament.

There have been saintly people who believe what Jesus said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him . . . these are the things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum” (John 6:56-59).

The Holy Eucharist is truly the center of our belief. It is the teaching of the Church which makes the difference. There have been atheists who have come from not believing in God, to believing in God, to becoming Catholics. Many finding “the Pearl of Great Price” have become daily communicants. There have been people who never go a day of their lives without receiving Holy Communion. It is the most important thing of their day. May we all pray that we may have such faith. It is ours for the asking.