Let us read and listen to the Gospel of the day, March 1, 2026
Second Sunday of Lent
- Bl. Giovanna Maria Bonomo abbess (1606-1670)
- St. Felix III Pope (48th) from 483 to 492
- Saint of the day
First Reading
The call of Abraham, father of the people of God.
From the Book of Genesis
Gen 12:1-4a
The Lord said to Abram:
“Go forth from your land,
your relatives,
and from your father’s house
to a land that I will show you.
I will make of you a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you
and curse those who curse you.
All the communities of the earth
shall find blessing in you.”
Abram went as the Lord directed him.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
From Psalm 33
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the Lord,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full. R.
See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
to deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine. R.
Our soul waits for the Lord,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us
who have put our hope in you. R.
Second Reading
God calls us and enlightens us.
From the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy
2 Tm 1:8b-10
Beloved: Bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Praise and honor to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
From the shining cloud the Father’s voice is heard:
“This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” (Cf. Mk 9:7)
Praise and honor to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Today’s Gospel, March 1, 2026
His face shone like the sun.
From the Gospel according to Matthew
Mt 17:1-9
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Creed is said.
The Light on the Mountain: The shining face of Eugenio
Today’s Gospel takes us to Mount Tabor. Jesus is transfigured before His disciples: “His face shone like the sun and His clothes became white as light.” It is a moment of unbearable beauty, a foretaste of the Resurrection. Peter, ecstatic, wants to stop time: “Lord, it is good that we are here!” But the Father’s voice from heaven shows us the way: “This is my beloved Son… listen to Him.”
This dazzling light immediately brings me back to the memory of my son Eugenio. There were moments, even during the hardest days of trial, when Eugenio‘s face seemed to emanate a peace and a light that could not come from this earth. It was as if he were already living his personal “transfiguration,” showing us that beyond the physical pain, a soul already immersed in God’s love was shining through.
That beauty gave us the strength to come down from the mountain and face the valley of suffering with a new hope. Eugenio was for us that ray of sunshine that breaks through the clouds, reminding us that our final destination is not the cross, but the infinite light of the Father.
In my prayers today, I ask for the ability to cherish that light in moments of darkness. Like the disciples, we too must come down from the mountain, but we do so with the certainty that Jesus is with us and that Eugenio‘s face now shines forever like the sun. Listening to Jesus, as my son taught us with his patience, means walking toward Easter knowing that death has been conquered by the Light.
THE MAGISTERIUM OF THE POPES
Let us join the voices of the successors of Peter to contemplate the mystery of God’s glory that transfigures the human:
- Pope Leo XIV: “The Transfiguration is not an illusion, but the revelation of our true future identity. On Tabor, Christ pierces the veil of time to tell us that we are made for the Light. Every suffering accepted with love is a step toward that eternal whiteness. Do not be afraid of the shadows of the world: if you keep your gaze fixed on the transfigured face of the Lord, even your night will become clear as day.”
- Pope Francis: “Jesus is transfigured to prepare the disciples for the passion. We too need these moments of grace to face the trials of life. God’s beauty gives us the strength to move forward, reminding us that the point of arrival is the Resurrection.” (Angelus)
- Benedict XVI: “Prayer is the place of transfiguration. When we pray, we enter into God’s light and our heart is purified. On Mount Tabor we learn that God’s glory passes through humility and listening to His Word.” (Cf. Verbum Domini)
- Saint John Paul II: “Do not be afraid to look up! The Transfiguration is God’s answer to those who fear that death is the end of everything. Christ is the light that enlightens every man. Bring this light into your families and into places of pain, because hope never dies.” (Cf. Hope)
- Saint Paul VI: “Tabor is the mountain of joy. It is good to be with the Lord, but we must come down to serve our brothers and sisters. The vision of glory commits us to transforming the world with the power of charity, making every gesture a reflection of divine light.” (Homily of the Transfiguration)
