Transcript

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The Lord be with you, brethren.

Let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

I confess to Almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do.

Through my faults, through my faults, through my most grievous faults; therefore, I ask Blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

Let us pray.

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, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy.

Moses spoke to the people, saying: When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the Lord your God, you shall make this response before the Lord your God: 'A wandering Aramean was my father.

He went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous.

When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us by imposing hard labor on us, we cried to the Lord, the God of our fathers.

The Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression.

The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power and with signs and wonders.

And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.

So now I bring the first of the fruits of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me.'

And Moses continued: 'You shall set it down before the Lord your God and bow down before the Lord your God.'

The word of the Lord.

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and sisters, what does Scripture say?

The word is near you, on your lips and in your hearts; that is, the word of faith that we proclaim.

Because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your hearts that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.

The Scripture says, No one who believes in him will be put to shame.

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The word of the Lord.

Amen.

The Lord be with you, and with your spirit.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.

He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.

The devil said to him, If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.

Jesus answered him, It is written, 'Man does not live by bread alone.'

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world, and the devil said to him, To you I will give their glory and all this authority, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please.

If you then will worship me, it will all be yours.

Jesus answered him, It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'

Jesus answered him, It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'

When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

The Gospel of the Lord.

If you've ever lined up at the grocery store or at the drugstore, you've certainly seen that rack of celebrity gossip magazines nearby the checkout counter.

I find it kind of remarkable how frivolous and how petty the stories that they publish are.

I was at the Loblaws on Carlton the other day, and as I was checking out, I saw there a front-page story about a star's new haircut.

You might think to yourself, Who cares?

Why would someone bother with such insignificant details about somebody that they don't even know?

But apparently enough people care to keep those magazines in business.

Why, though, do people care about such minute details of the lives of these people who certainly don't know them and whom they don't know either?

I think that there is a sense that when someone is important enough, the least thing that they do, their smallest action, carries a great significance.

And when we consider someone important to us, then we are naturally interested in everything that they do because every action of theirs is a kind of manifestation of their personality, of something that is normally invisible.

Every virtue of theirs and every vice is painstakingly analyzed, not because necessarily it's interesting in itself, but because it reveals something to us about the private inner life of the one who possesses it.

But at the same time, I found it interesting reflecting on this afterward that we rarely devote so much attention to our own inner lives, to our own experience.

And I think one of the consequences of this lack of attention is that it makes it very difficult to understand Lent.

It's very tempting to think that we are all basically good people, and I know that you are, but it's tempting to think so.

After all, I hope none of you are murderers or international arms traffickers, drug dealers, something like that.

We might have had a few slip-ups morally speaking, especially in our youth, but who doesn't? So why then?

Why bother with prayer, with fasting, with almsgiving?

Why bother with Lent and the cross?

Why does God care about all of that?

And what do these practices have to do with my life?

Shouldn't it be enough for me just to give up sugar in my coffee once a year?

Why does the Lord ask so much more during Lent?

Our first reading describes the way in which Moses instructs the Israelites to worship God in the Promised Land, and they are to begin their offering of thanks, their Eucharist, by recalling something that might seem a little strange at first blush.

That is, they are to recall that their father was a wandering Aramean.

In other words, when you come to worship God, to give him thanks, you are to recall that you are a nobody.

Then they are to recall the harsh oppression and affliction that their masters, the Egyptians, had imposed upon them.

In other words, they are to remember that they were slaves, that they were the lowest of the low, that they were bound and shackled both inwardly and outwardly.

And finally, they are to acknowledge how it was the Lord with mighty hand and outstretched arm who, with signs and wonders, with terrifying displays of power, brought them into the Promised Land, brought them forth out of bondage in Egypt into freedom.

In other words, they are to remember that they did not save themselves.

Now this is not a very useful formula for basically good people.

Basically good people have no need of worshipping God like this.

This is, on the contrary, a formula for people who were oppressed and who are now redeemed.

This is a formula for people who remember that, as we say on Ash Wednesday, we are dust, and to dust we will return.

This is a formula for a people who knows that it is God and not them who is responsible for all of the good they have received, for all of the virtues they may possess.

And it takes real humility to enter into this perception of our relationship with God, to see that it is only thanks to Christ's love that we are always more debtors than creditors, because from him we have received a grace that is much greater than we could ever hope to repay.

And just like we are interested to know, or some of us, I suppose, what famous people do and think because they are in some way important to us, so during Lent the Lord says to us, I am interested in what you do and think because you are important to me.

The least action you take, the least word you utter, the least thought that flits across your mind, all of it is intensely interesting to the Lord.

The Lord says to us, therefore, your sins matter.

Your sins make a difference because you matter, because you make a difference.

Your sins are of consequence because you are of consequence.

How then do we come to know our sin?

Is it by some kind of intense introspection and reflection, some kind of moral navel-gazing?

Well, think about Zacchaeus from later on in Luke's Gospel.

Zacchaeus was a tax collector; in fact, he was the chief tax collector of the city of Jericho, a city whose name was practically a byword for sin and vice during the time of Jesus.

And Zacchaeus came to know his sin only when he was looked upon by Christ.

Augustine says of Zacchaeus, Putting ourselves in front of the Lord, feeling all of his affection for us, that is what shines a light on the darkness in our lives too.

That affection is what allows us to pay attention to our lives, to look at those things that we would rather not look at, that we would prefer to gloss over.

That light is what reveals that we are, in fact, not basically good people, thanks be to God, but that we are sinners, that we are sinners in need of redemption.

In his temptations in the desert, Jesus shows us the way to battle temptation and the power of evil in our own lives, because it was not by Jesus' own strength that he prevailed over the enemy.

Jesus is not a kind of religious superman.

It was rather because of what his gaze was fixed on, what he was looking at.

And what, or rather who, was Jesus looking at during those temptations?

The Father.

The Father.

Jesus was strong in front of temptation because of that unbreakable bond that he and the Father from all eternity have shared with one another.

And there was not a single moment in Jesus' life in which he looked away from the Father.

So too, there was not a single moment in which the Father looked away from him.

And therefore, in a real sense, Jesus was not truly tempted.

There was nothing the devil could offer him that could possibly dissuade him from that love which was so rich.

How can you tempt someone who already possesses everything?

Lent then is for us a time to identify ourselves with that position of Jesus in front of his Father, a time for us to enter into the bond that they share, a time to discover that in our relationship with him we are truly lacking in nothing.

Our evil, the fact that we succumb to temptation, all of this is due to the fact that we forget who we are, the fact that we avert our gaze.

We forget that we have been purchased from a horrible oppressor and that we have been redeemed, a word which literally means bought back at great price out of love.

Our every sin, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, can therefore be very useful for our path, because as tragic as they may be, our sins remind us of the greatness to which we are called.

God cares about our sin because he cares about our good.

And to think that we have no great sins is like saying that we have no great destiny, that in the end our sins don't really matter because God doesn't really matter, and therefore that we don't really matter either.

The destiny to which we are called is much, much greater than becoming basically good people.

It is nothing other than sharing in the life and love that the Son shares with the Father, that unbreakable bond which is more precious than any other good.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.

God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one holy Catholic and apostolic Church.

I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

We should pour forth prayers at all times, dear brothers and sisters, but above all in these days of Lent, we ought to watch more intently with Christ and direct our petitions more fervently to God.

For the whole Christian people, that in this sacred time they may be more abundantly nourished by every word that comes from the mouth of God, we pray to the Lord.

For the whole world, that in lasting tranquility and peace our days may truly become the acceptable time of grace and salvation, we pray to the Lord.

Lord, hear our prayer.

For the people of Ukraine, the Holy Land, Africa, and South America, as violence and war continue to rob future generations of prosperity and concord, that our world leaders may act decisively and with the solidarity to advance the cause of peace, we pray to the Lord.

Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who have turned away from the Lord and haven't been neglectful, lost sight of the compassion and mercy of God, that in this time of reconciliation the bonds of fear that enslaved them to sin may be loosened and they may experience the mercy and love of the Father, we pray to the Lord.

Lord, hear our prayer.

For the sick, that they may be restored to health and hope through Christ the healer, we pray to the Lord.

Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who have died in the peace of Christ, especially Teresa Pace, that they may stand worthy before the Redeemer, who on the last day will raise them to glory, we pray to the Lord.

Lord, hear our prayer.

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer, they may receive by your mercy, through Christ our Lord.

And now let us offer together the Jubilee Prayer, which can be found in the miscellet in your pews.

Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your Son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, pilgrims of hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven.

May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.

To you, our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise forever.

Amen.

Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.

Give us the right dispositions, O Lord, we pray, to make these offerings; for with them we celebrate the beginning of this venerable and sacred time, through Christ our Lord.

The Lord be with you.

Lift up your hearts.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation.

Always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God, through Christ our Lord.

By abstaining forty long days from earthly food, he consecrated through his fast the pattern of our Lenten observance, and by overturning all the snares of the ancient serpent, taught us to cast out the leaven of malice, so that celebrating worthily the Paschal Mystery, we might pass over at last to the eternal Paschal feast.

And so, with the company of angels and saints, we sing the hymn of your praise, as without end we acclaim.

Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth, pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua.

Hosanna in excelsis.

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

Hosanna in excelsis.

To you therefore, most merciful Father, we make humble prayer and petition through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, that you accept and bless these gifts, these offerings, these holy and unblemished sacrifices, which we offer you firstly for your holy Catholic Church.

Be pleased to grant her peace, to guard, unite, and govern her throughout the whole world, together with your servant Francis, our Pope, and Francis, our Bishop, and all those who, holding to the truth, hand on the Catholic and apostolic faith.

Remember, Lord, your servants and all gathered here, whose faith and devotion are known to you.

For them, we offer you this sacrifice of praise, or they offer it for themselves and all who are dear to them, for the redemption of their souls, in hope of health and well-being, and paying their homage to you, the eternal God, living and true.

In communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord Jesus Christ, and blessed Joseph, her spouse, your blessed apostles and martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon, and Jude, Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, and all your saints, we ask that through their merits and prayers in all things we may be defended by your protecting help.

Therefore, Lord, we pray, graciously accept this oblation of our service, that of your whole family.

Order our days in your peace and command that we be delivered from eternal damnation and counted among the flock of those you have chosen.

Be pleased, O God, we pray, to bless, acknowledge, and approve this offering in every respect.

Make it spiritual and acceptable, so that it may become for us the Body and Blood of your most beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took this precious chalice in his holy and venerable hands, and once more giving you thanks, he said the blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying, Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal Covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this in memory of me.

Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the blessed Passion, the resurrection from the dead, and the glorious ascension into heaven of Christ, your Son, our Lord, we, your servants and your holy people, offer to your glorious majesty, from the gifts that you have given us, this pure victim, this holy victim, this spotless victim, the holy bread of eternal life and the chalice of everlasting salvation.

Be pleased to look upon these offerings with a serene and kindly countenance and to accept them as once you were pleased to accept the gifts of your servant Abel the Just, the sacrifice of Abraham our father in faith, and the offering of your high priest Melchizedek, a holy sacrifice, a spotless victim.

In humble prayer, we ask, O mighty God, command that these gifts be borne by the hands of your holy angel to your altar on high, in the sight of your divine majesty, so that all of us who, through this participation at the altar, receive the most holy body and blood of your Son, may be filled with every grace and heavenly blessing.

Remember also, Lord, your servants who have gone before us with the sign of faith and rest in the sleep of peace.

Grant them, O Lord, we pray, and all who sleep in Christ, a place of refreshment, light, and peace.

To us also, your servants who, those sinners, hope in your abundant mercies, graciously grant some share and fellowship with your holy apostles and martyrs, with John the Baptist, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia, and all your saints.

Admit us, we beseech you, into their company, not weighing our merits, but granting us your pardon, through Christ our Lord, through whom you continue to make all these good things, O Lord.

You sanctify them, fill them with life, bless them, and bestow them upon us.

Through him and with him and in him, O God Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours forever and ever.

Amen.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil; graciously grant peace in our days, that by the help of Your mercy we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to Your apostles, Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins but on the faith of Your Church and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with Your will, who live and reign forever and ever.

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Behold the Lamb of God!

Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world!

Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you are already there and unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.

Please join in singing our communion hymn number 67, Eternal Lord of Love, number 67. Thank you, thank you.

Let us pray.

Renewed now with heavenly bread, by which faith is nourished, hope increased, and charity strengthened, we pray, O Lord, that we may learn to hunger for Christ, the true and living bread, and strive to live by every word which proceeds from Your mouth, through Christ our Lord.

Bow down for the blessing.

May bountiful blessing, O Lord, we pray, come down upon Your people, that hope may grow in tribulations, virtue be strengthened in temptation, and eternal redemption be assured, through Christ our Lord.

The Lord be with you.

May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Go forth, the Mass has ended.

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do Thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world, seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

Please join in singing our closing hymn, number 70, 40 Days and 40 Nights.