Second Sunday of Lent
Matthew 17:1-9
After six days 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.”
Opening Prayer: Holy Trinity,
shine down upon me as I begin my prayer. Father, I invoke your aid.
Son, I praise your majesty. Holy Spirit, I bless your glorious name.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, Amen.
Encountering Christ:
- And He Was Transfigured before Them: Why
does the Church present this Gospel passage to us at the beginning of
Lent? The most direct answer is that it is a preparation for Christ’s
suffering and death on Good Friday. In St. Mark’s account, Jesus quizzed
his friends just after coming down from the mountain: “How is it
written regarding the Son of Man that he must suffer greatly and be
treated with contempt?” He tried to get them thinking. “You have just
seen me in glory; what would you say if I told you I would soon be in
disgrace?” Christ showed himself in his glory on the mountain so that
his apostles would not be scandalized or fall away when they saw him
naked and crowned with thorns. In my own life, Christ has often given me
periods of clarity and consolation to prepare me for times of darkness
and confusion.
- Terms of Endearment: The
Holy Trinity is present on Mount Tabor. The voice is of the Father. In
the cloud we see the Spirit. And the Son is glorified. Truly, the glory
of God himself is present on the holy mountain! Along with the apostles,
we overhear the tender words of the Father for his dear Son: “This is
my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Jesus is loved by his
Father. Jesus is loved by his friends the apostles. He is also adored by
his Blessed Mother Mary. Jesus, beloved of all hearts! “Fretted by
sallies of his mother’s kisses/With light upon him from his father’s
eyes!”–William Wordsworth
- Lent: Climbing up
“a high mountain” is hard work. When they got there, the apostles
didn’t particularly enjoy hearing the Father’s voice: “They fell
prostrate and were very much afraid.” Additionally, in the twelfth verse
the disciples received some bad news: “So also will the Son of Man
suffer.” Lent can be a toilsome journey up a figurative mountain. We can
be apt to get wrapped up in ourself and our own crosses, forgetting
that Easter will come. We endure Lenten hardships, but always with
Jesus, and he rewards us on Easter Sunday with a taste of celestial
glory, a bit of Paschal joy.
Conversing with Christ:
Jesus, you are Lord indeed. You are the only Son of the Father, sitting
at his right hand, interceding for me as I continue on this journey of
Lent. You enjoy transfigured glory, heavenly glory, for all time.
Encourage me by your Holy Spirit and strengthen me for this Lenten
journey.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will devoutly pray the Glory Be three times.
For Further Reflection: “Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood,” by William Wordsworth.
written by Br. Erik Burckel, LC
The post Terms of Endearment appeared first on RC Spirituality.
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