Second Sunday of Lent

Reflection

For the disciples of Jesus, who walked with Him up the mountain and saw Jesus transfigured in their sight, the wonder of that moment prepared them to see Jesus in a new way.  They experienced Jesus as no longer simply one like them but now someone who reflected the glory of God. Indeed, for them Jesus was now the fulfillment of what God had promised.  The eternal life that they only grasped as some hoped-for reality was now made real in their presence when Christ revealed to them what humanity could become in the resurrection.  For the disciples, hope was made tangible in Jesus transfigured before their very eyes as the Lord of life.

Lent prepares us for Easter.  The sorrow of Lent gives way to the joy of Easter.  Jesus, overtaken by death in the crucifixion, reveals that death itself can no longer hold Him bound. If the humanity of Jesus can be so transformed in the resurrection, so too can our humanity be changed.  When He, who is like us in our humanity, is raised from the dead to die no more, so will we be raised to eternal life.  We read in Philippians, “He will change our lowly body to conform with His glorified body by the power that enables Him also to bring all things into subjection to Himself.”

Prayer

We pray this day to see Jesus so transformed in our minds and hearts that we too may see eternal life as our true future.  This we pray in the name of Jesus who overcame death so that we might have eternal life.  Amen.

Fr. David Théroux, S.S.E. ’70, Edmundite Center for Faith and Culture/Peace and Justice

Scripture

First Reading: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18

Psalm 27:1, 7-9, 13-14

Second Reading: Philippians 3:17—4:1

Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website