This Sunday's Readings

Church of the Sacred Heart

2ND SUNDAY OF LENT

28 FEBRUARY & 1 MARCH 2026

Collect

Let us pray.

O God, who have commanded us

to listen to your beloved Son,

be pleased, we pray,

to nourish us inwardly by your word,

that, with spiritual sight made pure,

we may rejoice to behold your glory.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

First Reading 

A reading from the book of Genesis.                 12:1-4

The call of Abraham, the father of God’s people.

The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your family and your father’s house, for the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name so famous that it will be used as a blessing.

‘I will bless those who bless you:

I will curse those who slight you.

All the tribes of the earth

shall bless themselves by you.’

So Abram went as the Lord told him.

The word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

R.  May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.

The word of the Lord is faithful

    and all his works to be trusted.

The Lord loves justice and right

    and fills the earth with his love.

R.  May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.

The Lord looks on those who revere him,

    on those who hope in his love,

to rescue their souls from death,

    to keep them alive in famine.

R.  May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.

Our soul is waiting for the Lord.

    The Lord is our help and our shield.

May your love be upon us, O Lord,

    as we place all our hope in you.

R.  May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.

Second Reading 

A reading from the second letter of St Paul to Timothy.                    1:8-10

God calls and enlightens us.

With me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy – not because of anything we ourselves have done but for his own purpose and by his own grace. This grace had already been granted to us, in Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time, but it has only been revealed by the Appearing of our saviour Christ Jesus. He abolished death, and he has proclaimed life and immortality through the Good News.

The word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation 

Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

From the bright cloud the Father’s voice was heard:

‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’

Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Gospel 

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.           17:1-9

Response: Glory to you, O Lord.

His face shone like the sun.

Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’ When they heard this the disciples fell on their faces overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘do not be afraid.’ And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus.

    As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order, ‘Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Response: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer Of The Faithful

Introduction: The Lord is our strength and refuge. In Him we find security and salvation. Let us turn with confidence to Him as we offer these prayers.

Response: Lord, show us your mercy.

1. For our Church. We pray that our clergy and religious men and women may persevere in faith and work tirelessly to spread the Good News of salvation to all peoples. Let us pray to the Lord.

2. For our Pope’s March intention. We pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence. Let us pray to the Lord.

3. For those who no longer practice their faith. We pray that through our prayers and Lenten sacrifices, they will find the joy of being reconciled with Christ once more and experience His love in their lives. Let us pray to the Lord.

4. For the sick, the lonely and the unloved. We pray that they may place their hope in the Lord who comes to heal, strengthen the weak and comfort the dying. Let us pray to the Lord.

5. We now pray in silence for other needs and intentions …

For these other needs and intentions, let us pray to the Lord.

Conclusion: God our Father, grant us Your blessings and draw us onward as we journey with You to the Cross and Resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.