Daily Lenten Reflections

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Second Sunday of Lent

Reflection

Our Gospel for today presents a powerful visual moment in Jesus’ life and the lives of Peter, John, and James. Jesus was in prayer on the mountain top with three of His disciples, and the three were tempted to doze off to sleep as Jesus prayed. This is reminiscent of another time in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus praying while they slept. This comparison seems appropriate since at this time Jesus is talking to Moses and Elijah about His coming exodus in Jerusalem. The word exodus makes me think of the journey Moses took the Israelites through to freedom. Now Jesus was given this vision to strengthen Him and prepare His disciples for the challenge that lay ahead as He completed His mission, His glory, and exodus to set us all free by His passion and death. He knew His disciples needed supernatural strength for what lay ahead and so this vision was a part of that plan to strengthen them. They see Moses and Elijah but more than that, it is the vision of the radiant Jesus, the luminous cloud and the words of God, “This is my chosen Son.” This experience strengthened Jesus for His mission and we know it also strengthened the three disciples as well.

In our lives, we sometimes have mountain top experiences to prepare us for the times in the valley of the shadow of death. Many times we may not recognize what is happening until after it is over, but let us try to find a way to celebrate these moments when God reveals God’s self to us in whatever way that might come, be it a full moon, a pristine white world of a snow-covered mountain, a chance meeting with a dear friend, a changed outcome of a medical situation. May we take nothing for granted and find a way to celebrate as Peter suggested, camping out on the mountain with friends. Then may we be ready to leave the mountain of joy and return to the challenges that face us at the bottom.

Prayer

God of Mystery, come to me in my times of need so I can be strengthened to face the challenges in my own life. Amen.

Sr. Karen Pozniak, S.N.D., Member of the Worshipping Community

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

No comments:

Post a Comment

Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry

The Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry at Saint Michael’s College is to share the Good News of the Gospel with the College community by facilitating encounter with Jesus Christ. We do this through the celebration of the Church’s Liturgy, in programs promoting knowledge of the Catholic faith, by developing ecumenical and interreligious relationships, and providing retreats and other opportunities for personal spiritual growth.

The Catholic and Edmundite tradition upon which the College was founded is grounded in the conviction that all women and men are created in the image and likeness of God providing a special dignity unique to each person. Such dignity requires human life to be respected in all of its stages recognizing that we are all children of God.

Therefore, in its pursuit of furthering the Reign of God, the Edmundite Campus Ministry staff seeks to interact with and support every member of the College community in their search for Truth, contributing to the “enhancement of the human person and to the advancement of human culture in light of the Catholic faith.”