Second Sunday of Lent (Year C)

Second Sunday of Lent March 13, 2022

Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 9:28b-36

image courtesy: Google

Perhaps you have heard of the man who wanted to test his wife’s hearing. He stood some distance behind her and said, “Honey, can you hear me?” Having received no answer he moved closer and again whispered, “Honey, can you hear me?” Again having received no answer he moved right up behind her and softly said, “Honey can you hear me?” She replied, “For the third time, yes!” – In some ways this story could be analogous of our communication with God. We constantly check to see if he is listening in hopes that He will respond to our needs. In reality, He hears us, but He has asked us to listen to Him as well. Lent should be a listening time for each of us. When we learn to listen, our lives become obedient lives. At the close of the Transfiguration scene described in today’s Gospel the three apostles hear the word of God from the cloud, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.”

It’s about 10 days since we began our Lenten journey. Are we all still on track, marching forward enthusiastically armed with the weapons of personal sacrifice and penance? Or do you notice cracks in your resolutions?

Do not lose heart if you have faltered along the way. Start afresh! Reset your attention on ‘things of Heaven’ as advised by Saint Paul in our Second Reading. How can we do this so that we make our Lenten journey a transfiguration experience?

The Transfiguration of our Lord was not merely an experience for the three apostles—Peter, James and John but a defining moment for Jesus as well. He needed that reassurance which had once come before the start of his public ministry—namely, at his Baptism. Now, before he enters into Jerusalem to go through his Passion and death God reassures him — YOU ARE STILL MY BELOVED SON.

Jesus and his disciples go through this special spiritual experience in the context of prayer.

When we need reassurance — in pain, in suffering, in misunderstandings, in sickness, in confusion, in depression — go to God in prayer. He will strengthen you to walk to your Jerusalem.  He will help you understand the significance of what you are going through right now.

Today's First Reading tells us that “The Lord God took Abram outside...” and had a conversation with him. That’s prayer.

The Psalm gives us an example of King David’s prayer in the face of danger, “Your presence, O Lord, I seek. Hide not your face from me...”

Saint Paul, in the Second Reading, reminds the Christians in Philippi that while most people occupy their minds “with earthly things... Our citizenship is in Heaven.” Our attention is on God — that's prayer.

Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus leads his three closest disciples away from the hustle and bustle of life, up to the top of a high mountain, where he can be alone with them, and gives them a lesson on prayer.

The Transfiguration experience certainly left an impact on the 3 apostles. They began to appreciate better the importance of Jesus’ words even if they did not yet understand everything that he taught them.

During Lent, we are invited to consider our attentiveness to Jesus and to one another. In the pace and noise that often characterizes our daily life, how well do we listen to God and to one another? What opportunities do we have for quiet prayer?

 Happy Sunday