Second Sunday of Lent

Reflection

I offer the following reflection, by Anglican bible scholar, N.T. Wright, as it unites into one, Calvary and Transfiguration, for as he says, about half way down, “The mountain-top explains the hill-top – and vice versa.”  A mountain is usually seen as higher, loftier, than a hill.  But again, the terms are often interchangeable in people’s minds.  Might there be a similar “exchange” in the Spirit?

“In fact, the scene at the transfiguration…offers a strange parallel and contrast to the crucifixion (Matthew 27.33–54). If you’re going to meditate on the one, you might like to hold the other in your mind as well, as a sort of backdrop. Here, on a mountain, is Jesus, revealed in glory; there, on a hill outside Jerusalem, is Jesus, revealed in shame. Here His clothes are shining white; there, they have been stripped off, and soldiers have gambled for them. Here He is flanked by Moses and Elijah, two of Israel’s greatest heroes, representing the law and the prophets; there, He is flanked by two brigands, representing the level to which Israel had sunk in rebellion against God. Here, a bright cloud overshadows the scene; there, darkness comes upon the land. Here Peter blurts out how wonderful it all is; there, he is hiding in shame after denying he even knows Jesus. Here a voice from God himself declares that this is His wonderful Son; there, a pagan soldier declares, in surprise, that this really was God’s son. The mountain-top explains the hill-top—and vice versa. Perhaps we only really understand either of them when we see it side by side with the other. Learn to see the glory in the cross; learn to see the cross in the glory; and you will have begun to bring together the laughter and the tears of the God who hides in the cloud, the God who is to be known in the strange person of Jesus himself. This story is, of course, about being surprised by the power, love, and beauty of God. But the point of it is that we should learn to recognize that same power, love and beauty within Jesus, and to listen for it in His voice—not least when He tells us to take up the cross and follow Him...The word to the disciples then is just as much a word to us today. If you want to find the way—the way to God, the way to the promised land—you must listen to Him.”  (Wright, N.T., Matthew for Everyone, Part 2: Chapters 16-28 [The New Testament for Everyone, p.15]. Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.)

Prayer

Good and loving God, we know You in the beauty of Your Creation, and in the loudness of our conversations.  We recognize You in our successes and in our joys.  This Lent, we pray also to see You when we are cast down and in the lowliness of our spirit.  May we see You equally on the Hilltop of Calvary as on the Mountain of Transfiguration.  We unite our prayer with that of Jesus, Your Son, our risen Lord.  Amen.

Fr. Marcel Rainville, S.S.E. ’67, Edmundite Campus Ministry

Scripture

First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a

Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8b-10

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website