Second Sunday of Lent
Lectionary: 25
Lectionary: 25
The LORD said to Abram:
“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk
and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.
“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk
and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.
“I will make of you a great
nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you
and curse those who curse you.
All the communities of the earth
shall find blessing in you.”
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you
and curse those who curse you.
All the communities of the earth
shall find blessing in you.”
Abram went as the LORD directed
him.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22.
R. (22) Lord, let your mercy
be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Reading 22 TM 1:8B-10
Beloved:
Bear your share of hardship for the gospel
with the strength that comes from God.
Bear your share of hardship for the gospel
with the strength that comes from God.
He saved us and called us to a
holy life,
not according to our works
but according to his own design
and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,
but now made manifest
through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus,
who destroyed death and brought life and immortality
to light through the gospel.
not according to our works
but according to his own design
and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,
but now made manifest
through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus,
who destroyed death and brought life and immortality
to light through the gospel.
Verse Before
The GospelMT 17:5
From the shining cloud the
Father’s voice is heard:
This is my beloved Son, hear him.
This is my beloved Son, hear him.
GospelMT 17:1-9
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.
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.”
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Meditation:
Listen
to my beloved Son
Are
you prepared to see the glory of the Lord and to share in his glory as well?
God made a promise to Abraham that he would make him a channel of great
blessing not only to his own family and future descendants but to all the families
of the earth as well (Genesis 12:3)! The condition for the fulfillment of this
promise was simple and straightforward - "Go from your family and country
to the land that I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). Abraham not only
believed in God's promise, he promptly obeyed and did as the Lord commanded
him. God chose Abraham as his instrument of blessing - that through him and his
descendants would come the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ who would reveal the
glory and blessing of God's kingdom and bring salvation for all who would call
upon his name.
The
Lord Jesus came to fulfill all that Moses and the prophets spoke
The Lord Jesus is the fulfillment of all the promises made to Abraham and to his spiritual descendants. In all that Jesus did and said he sought to please his Father in heaven and to bring him glory. Like Abraham, he was ready to part with anything that might stand in the way of doing the will of God. He knew that the success of his mission would depend on his willingness to embrace his Father's will no matter what it might cost him personally.
The Lord Jesus is the fulfillment of all the promises made to Abraham and to his spiritual descendants. In all that Jesus did and said he sought to please his Father in heaven and to bring him glory. Like Abraham, he was ready to part with anything that might stand in the way of doing the will of God. He knew that the success of his mission would depend on his willingness to embrace his Father's will no matter what it might cost him personally.
Jesus
on three occasions told his disciples that he would undergo suffering and death
on a cross to fulfill the mission the Father gave him. As the time draws near
for Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross, he takes three of his beloved
disciples to the top of a high mountain. Just as Moses and Elijah were led to
the mountain of God to discern their ultimate call and mission, so Jesus now
appears with Moses and Elijah on the highest mountain overlooking the summit of
the promised land. Matthew's Gospel tells us that Jesus was
transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments
became white as light (Matthew 17:2).
Jesus
reveals his glory to the apostles and to us
Why did Jesus appear in dazzling light with Moses and Elijah? The book of Exodus tells us that when Moses had met with God on Mount Sinai the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God (Exodus 34:29). Paul the Apostle wrote that the Israelites could not look at Moses' face because of its brightness (2 Corinthians 3:7). After Elijah, the greatest of the prophets, had destroyed all the priests and idols of Baal in the land, he took refuge on the mountain of God at Sinai. There God showed Elijah his glory in great thunder, whirlwind, and fire, and then spoke with him in a still quiet voice. God questioned Elijah, "What are you doing here?" And then directed him to go and fulfill the mission given him by God. Jesus, likewise, appears in glory with Moses and Elijah, as if to confirm with them that he, too, is ready to fulfill the mission which the Father has sent him to accomplish.
Why did Jesus appear in dazzling light with Moses and Elijah? The book of Exodus tells us that when Moses had met with God on Mount Sinai the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God (Exodus 34:29). Paul the Apostle wrote that the Israelites could not look at Moses' face because of its brightness (2 Corinthians 3:7). After Elijah, the greatest of the prophets, had destroyed all the priests and idols of Baal in the land, he took refuge on the mountain of God at Sinai. There God showed Elijah his glory in great thunder, whirlwind, and fire, and then spoke with him in a still quiet voice. God questioned Elijah, "What are you doing here?" And then directed him to go and fulfill the mission given him by God. Jesus, likewise, appears in glory with Moses and Elijah, as if to confirm with them that he, too, is ready to fulfill the mission which the Father has sent him to accomplish.
Jesus
went to the mountain knowing full well what awaited him in Jerusalem -
betrayal, rejection, and crucifixion. Jesus very likely discussed this
momentous decision to go to the cross with Moses and Elijah. God the Father
also spoke with Jesus and gave his approval: This is my beloved Son;
listen to him. The Father glorified his son because he was faithful and
willing to obey him in everything. The cloud which overshadowed Jesus and his
apostles fulfilled the dream of the Jews that when the Messiah came the cloud
of God's presence would fill the temple again (see Exodus 16:10, 19:9, 33:9; 1
Kings 8:10; 2 Maccabees 2:8).
Christ's
way to glory
The Lord Jesus not only wants us to see his glory - he wants to share this glory with us. And Jesus shows us the way to the Father's glory - follow me - obey my words. Take the path I have chosen for you and you will receive the blessing of my Father's kingdom - your name, too, will be written in heaven. Jesus fulfilled his mission on Calvary where he died for our sins so that Paradise and everlasting life would be restored to us. He embraced the cross to win a crown of glory - a crown that awaits each one of us, if we, too, will follow in his footsteps.
The Lord Jesus not only wants us to see his glory - he wants to share this glory with us. And Jesus shows us the way to the Father's glory - follow me - obey my words. Take the path I have chosen for you and you will receive the blessing of my Father's kingdom - your name, too, will be written in heaven. Jesus fulfilled his mission on Calvary where he died for our sins so that Paradise and everlasting life would be restored to us. He embraced the cross to win a crown of glory - a crown that awaits each one of us, if we, too, will follow in his footsteps.
Origen
(185-254 AD), a noted early church bible scholar and teacher, explains the
significance of Jesus' transfiguration for our own lives:
"Do
you wish to see the transfiguration of Jesus? Behold with me the Jesus of the
Gospels. Let him be simply apprehended. There he is beheld both "according
to the flesh" and at the same time in his true divinity. He is beheld in
the form of God according to our capacity for knowledge. This is how he was
beheld by those who went up upon the lofty mountain to be apart with him.
Meanwhile those who do not go up the mountain can still behold his works and
hear his words, which are uplifting. It is before those who go up that Jesus is
transfigured, and not to those below. When he is transfigured, his face shines
as the sun, that he may be manifested to the children of light, who have put
off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. They are no longer the
children of darkness or night but have become the children of day. They walk
honestly as in the day. Being manifested, he will shine to them not simply as
the sun but as he is demonstrated to be, the sun of righteousness." (Commentary
on Matthew)
Luke's
Gospel tells us that while Jesus was transfigured, Peter, James, and John were
asleep (Luke 9:32)! Upon awakening they discovered Jesus in glory along with
Moses and Elijah. How much do we miss of God's glory and action because we are
asleep spiritually? There are many things which can keep our minds asleep to
the things of God: Mental lethargy and the "unexamined life" can keep
us from thinking things through and facing our doubts and questions. The life
of ease can also hinder us from considering the challenging or disturbing
demands of Christ. Prejudice can make us blind to something new the Lord may
have for us. Even sorrow can be a block until we can see past it to the glory
of God.
We
are partakers of his glory
Are you spiritually awake? Peter, James, and John were privileged witnesses of the glory of Christ. We, too, as disciples of Jesus Christ are called to be witnesses of his glory. We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Lord wants to reveal his glory to us, his beloved disciples. Do you seek his presence with faith and reverence?
Are you spiritually awake? Peter, James, and John were privileged witnesses of the glory of Christ. We, too, as disciples of Jesus Christ are called to be witnesses of his glory. We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Lord wants to reveal his glory to us, his beloved disciples. Do you seek his presence with faith and reverence?
"Lord
Jesus, keep me always alert to you, to your word, your action, and your
constant presence in my life. Let me see your glory."
A
Daily Quote for Lent: Listen
to Him, by Leo the Great, 400?-461 A.D.
"A
voice from the cloud said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased; listen to him. I am manifested through his preaching. I am
glorified through his humility. So listen to him without hesitation. He is the
truth and the life. He is my strength and wisdom. "Listen to him"
whom the mysteries of the law foreshadowed, of whom the mouths of the prophets
sang. "Listen to him" who by his blood redeemed the world, who binds
the devil and seizes his vessels, who breaks the debt of sin and the bondage of
iniquity. "Listen to him" who opens the way to heaven and by the pain
of the cross prepares for you the steps of ascent into his kingdom." (excerpt
from Sermon 38,7)
2nd Sunday in Lent – Cycle A
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Genesis 12:1-4a
With the appearance of Abram (later to be renamed Abraham), the story of Genesis takes on a completely new form. From the viewpoint of salvation history a new period begins, marked by a divine intervention destined to reshape history’s course. An obscure Semite is called by God, and, through his response in faith, there begins the unfolding of God’s plan which will reach its climax in the events of the Exodus and Mount Sinai. The mounting aversion to God that characterized the first eleven chapters now gives way to a conversation with God. Today, we hear the call of Abram.
12:1 The LORD said to Abram:
Note that the initiative is God’s not Abram’s. “Abram” means “father who is exalted” yet he is 75 years old and childless.
“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.
There are two requirements placed on Abram: The first requirement is complete disassociation from the pagan past. The second requirement is migration to a land of God’s choice.
2 “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you.”
God makes a threefold promise of blessing:
1) “great nation”, a promise which upgraded to a covenant in Genesis 15 and fulfilled in Moses
2) “name great”, a promise which is upgraded to a covenant in Genesis 17:1-19 and fulfilled in David
3) “all the communities of the earth”, a worldwide blessing which us upgraded to a covenant in Genesis 22 and fulfilled in Jesus the Christ.
This threefold blessing shows God’s favorable regard for Abram and enhances Abram’s individual and family life. People will use him as a standard of blessing (see Galatians 3:8).
4 Abram went as the LORD directed him.
There is no hesitation; Abram’s obedience is immediate even though he is 75 years old and well settled in the community.
2nd Reading - 2 Timothy 1:8b-10
After writing the epistle to Titus, Saint Paul went to Rome (although not necessarily immediately afterward). There, both he and Saint Peter were seized and thrown into prison. This was around the year 66-67. This letter is his last, as he was martyred in 67 and thus this letter can be regarded as his spiritual testimony.
Timothy was the pastor of the Church of Ephesus. The two letters which Paul wrote to him contain a series of rules and recommendations for the good government of the young community, whose members were mostly of a Gentile background.
Beloved: 8 Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. 9 He saved us and called us to a holy life,
For Paul himself salvation is normally a future event [work out your salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)]. Paul recognizes what God has already graciously achieved for humanity in the cross and resurrection of Christ Jesus (the past). He also recognizes that through God’s grace He is working in us now (the present), and he also recognizes that the end result is something of the future as we must one day appear before the tribunal of Christ so that each one may receive good or evil for what one has done in the body (2 Corinthians 5:10).
not according to our works
We cannot “earn our way” to heaven, but good works, done for the love of God, are necessary.
but according to his own design
God the Father knew that He must have His Son offered as the perfect sacrifice in order for heaven to be opened, we didn’t think of it, but cooperated in His plan.
“Observe... how Marcion, and Manes, and Valentinus, and others who introduced their heresies and pernicious doctrines into the Church of God, measuring divine things by human reasonings, became ashamed of the divine economy. Yet it was not a subject for shame but rather for glorying: I speak of the cross of Christ. ... For in themselves death and imprisonment and chains are matters of shame and reproach. But when the cause is added before us and the mystery viewed aright, they will appear full of dignity and a matter for boasting. For it was that death on the cross that saved the world when it was perishing.
That death connected earth with heaven; that death destroyed the power of the devil and made men angels and sons of God; that death raised our nature to the kingly throne. Those chains enabled the conversion of many.” [Saint John Chrysostom (A.D. 393-397), Homilies on the Second Epistle to Timothy, 2]
and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,
Before the world was, God was; and He knew then what would be required.
10 but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
No longer are people denied the sight of God when their physical life ends. Now, the spiritual life begins and we can see God face-to-face at the heavenly banquet. Redemption from sin and the call to holiness of life are not won by personal deeds but are freely and graciously given according to God’s eternal plan (see Ephesians 1:4).
Gospel - Matthew 17:1-9
Last week we heard of Jesus’ temptation in the desert at the beginning of His public ministry. Today we hear of His transfiguration which occurred about two years later, after the feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000. The account of the transfiguration confirms that Jesus is the Son of God and points to fulfillment of the prediction that He will come in His Father’s glory at the end of the age (Matthew 16:27). This event marks the beginning of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem for His passion.
1 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother,
Peter, James and John are the inner circle of the apostles. They were also chosen to be separate from the rest of the twelve in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37) and at the raising of Jarius’ daughter (Mark 5:37).
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
A mountain symbolic of revelation, a kind of Galilean Sinai; God spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:12-18) and Elijah at the same place (1 Kings 19:8-18). No localization is necessary although Carmel, Tabor, and Hermon have been suggested.
2 And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.
The brightness of the illumination recalls the brightness of the face of Moses after the Sinai revelation (Exodus 34:29-35), which made it necessary for Moses to veil his face.
3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
Moses and Elijah represent respectively the Law and the Prophets. The term “the Law and the Prophets” was used to designate the entire collection of Old Testament books, and thus the fullness of the revelation of God to Israel. Jesus joins the two as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (see Matthew 5:17). Elijah was assumed bodily into heaven (2 Kings 2:11) and Hebrew legend has it that Moses was also assumed. This may explain how both can appear here in bodily form. Neither Matthew nor Mark tell us what was discussed, but Luke 9:31 says “They spoke about his departure (exodus), which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.”
4 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord,
Matthew uses the word “Lord”, while Mark uses “rabbi” as the form of address. “Lord” literally means “my great one”, an address of respect to God, angels, and earthly sovereigns.
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.”
Peter is a master of understatement. No doubt he is making a reference to the feast of tabernacles, one of three yearly feasts for which all males of Israel were required to travel to the Temple and lived in tents (or booths). The feast occurred in September-October and lasted for eight days. The three Apostles want to stick around for a while. The feast of tabernacles commemorated the sojourn of the Israelites on Mount Sinai while they received the revelation of the Law through Moses. This is not the revelation of another law, a greater reality is manifested here. Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets.
it 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
This is the shechinah (glory cloud), the divine presence, the cloud that occupied the tabernacle in the time of Moses.
then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
These words are a revelation of the sonship of Jesus; Matthew repeats the words spoken at the baptism (Matthew 3:17) and adds “listen to him” (sort of like Mary’s “do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Jesus is the Son and the revealer. The Israelites are commanded to listen to a prophet like Moses whom God will raise up for them in Deuteronomy 18:15.
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid.
This is their reaction to the divine command (listen to him) rather than to the vision itself.
7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”
Jesus’ touch overcomes their fear and perhaps consecrates them to further service. Luke’s account of the transfiguration suggests the disciples were asleep and this is a dream-vision.
8 And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
Moses and Elijah have withdrawn; diminished in significance before the fuller revelation in Jesus.
9 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.”
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Genesis 12:1-4a
With the appearance of Abram (later to be renamed Abraham), the story of Genesis takes on a completely new form. From the viewpoint of salvation history a new period begins, marked by a divine intervention destined to reshape history’s course. An obscure Semite is called by God, and, through his response in faith, there begins the unfolding of God’s plan which will reach its climax in the events of the Exodus and Mount Sinai. The mounting aversion to God that characterized the first eleven chapters now gives way to a conversation with God. Today, we hear the call of Abram.
12:1 The LORD said to Abram:
Note that the initiative is God’s not Abram’s. “Abram” means “father who is exalted” yet he is 75 years old and childless.
“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.
There are two requirements placed on Abram: The first requirement is complete disassociation from the pagan past. The second requirement is migration to a land of God’s choice.
2 “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you.”
God makes a threefold promise of blessing:
1) “great nation”, a promise which upgraded to a covenant in Genesis 15 and fulfilled in Moses
2) “name great”, a promise which is upgraded to a covenant in Genesis 17:1-19 and fulfilled in David
3) “all the communities of the earth”, a worldwide blessing which us upgraded to a covenant in Genesis 22 and fulfilled in Jesus the Christ.
This threefold blessing shows God’s favorable regard for Abram and enhances Abram’s individual and family life. People will use him as a standard of blessing (see Galatians 3:8).
4 Abram went as the LORD directed him.
There is no hesitation; Abram’s obedience is immediate even though he is 75 years old and well settled in the community.
2nd Reading - 2 Timothy 1:8b-10
After writing the epistle to Titus, Saint Paul went to Rome (although not necessarily immediately afterward). There, both he and Saint Peter were seized and thrown into prison. This was around the year 66-67. This letter is his last, as he was martyred in 67 and thus this letter can be regarded as his spiritual testimony.
Timothy was the pastor of the Church of Ephesus. The two letters which Paul wrote to him contain a series of rules and recommendations for the good government of the young community, whose members were mostly of a Gentile background.
Beloved: 8 Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. 9 He saved us and called us to a holy life,
For Paul himself salvation is normally a future event [work out your salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)]. Paul recognizes what God has already graciously achieved for humanity in the cross and resurrection of Christ Jesus (the past). He also recognizes that through God’s grace He is working in us now (the present), and he also recognizes that the end result is something of the future as we must one day appear before the tribunal of Christ so that each one may receive good or evil for what one has done in the body (2 Corinthians 5:10).
not according to our works
We cannot “earn our way” to heaven, but good works, done for the love of God, are necessary.
but according to his own design
God the Father knew that He must have His Son offered as the perfect sacrifice in order for heaven to be opened, we didn’t think of it, but cooperated in His plan.
“Observe... how Marcion, and Manes, and Valentinus, and others who introduced their heresies and pernicious doctrines into the Church of God, measuring divine things by human reasonings, became ashamed of the divine economy. Yet it was not a subject for shame but rather for glorying: I speak of the cross of Christ. ... For in themselves death and imprisonment and chains are matters of shame and reproach. But when the cause is added before us and the mystery viewed aright, they will appear full of dignity and a matter for boasting. For it was that death on the cross that saved the world when it was perishing.
That death connected earth with heaven; that death destroyed the power of the devil and made men angels and sons of God; that death raised our nature to the kingly throne. Those chains enabled the conversion of many.” [Saint John Chrysostom (A.D. 393-397), Homilies on the Second Epistle to Timothy, 2]
and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,
Before the world was, God was; and He knew then what would be required.
10 but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
No longer are people denied the sight of God when their physical life ends. Now, the spiritual life begins and we can see God face-to-face at the heavenly banquet. Redemption from sin and the call to holiness of life are not won by personal deeds but are freely and graciously given according to God’s eternal plan (see Ephesians 1:4).
Gospel - Matthew 17:1-9
Last week we heard of Jesus’ temptation in the desert at the beginning of His public ministry. Today we hear of His transfiguration which occurred about two years later, after the feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000. The account of the transfiguration confirms that Jesus is the Son of God and points to fulfillment of the prediction that He will come in His Father’s glory at the end of the age (Matthew 16:27). This event marks the beginning of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem for His passion.
1 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother,
Peter, James and John are the inner circle of the apostles. They were also chosen to be separate from the rest of the twelve in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37) and at the raising of Jarius’ daughter (Mark 5:37).
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
A mountain symbolic of revelation, a kind of Galilean Sinai; God spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:12-18) and Elijah at the same place (1 Kings 19:8-18). No localization is necessary although Carmel, Tabor, and Hermon have been suggested.
2 And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.
The brightness of the illumination recalls the brightness of the face of Moses after the Sinai revelation (Exodus 34:29-35), which made it necessary for Moses to veil his face.
3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
Moses and Elijah represent respectively the Law and the Prophets. The term “the Law and the Prophets” was used to designate the entire collection of Old Testament books, and thus the fullness of the revelation of God to Israel. Jesus joins the two as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (see Matthew 5:17). Elijah was assumed bodily into heaven (2 Kings 2:11) and Hebrew legend has it that Moses was also assumed. This may explain how both can appear here in bodily form. Neither Matthew nor Mark tell us what was discussed, but Luke 9:31 says “They spoke about his departure (exodus), which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.”
4 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord,
Matthew uses the word “Lord”, while Mark uses “rabbi” as the form of address. “Lord” literally means “my great one”, an address of respect to God, angels, and earthly sovereigns.
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.”
Peter is a master of understatement. No doubt he is making a reference to the feast of tabernacles, one of three yearly feasts for which all males of Israel were required to travel to the Temple and lived in tents (or booths). The feast occurred in September-October and lasted for eight days. The three Apostles want to stick around for a while. The feast of tabernacles commemorated the sojourn of the Israelites on Mount Sinai while they received the revelation of the Law through Moses. This is not the revelation of another law, a greater reality is manifested here. Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets.
it 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
This is the shechinah (glory cloud), the divine presence, the cloud that occupied the tabernacle in the time of Moses.
then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
These words are a revelation of the sonship of Jesus; Matthew repeats the words spoken at the baptism (Matthew 3:17) and adds “listen to him” (sort of like Mary’s “do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Jesus is the Son and the revealer. The Israelites are commanded to listen to a prophet like Moses whom God will raise up for them in Deuteronomy 18:15.
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid.
This is their reaction to the divine command (listen to him) rather than to the vision itself.
7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”
Jesus’ touch overcomes their fear and perhaps consecrates them to further service. Luke’s account of the transfiguration suggests the disciples were asleep and this is a dream-vision.
8 And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
Moses and Elijah have withdrawn; diminished in significance before the fuller revelation in Jesus.
9 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.”
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Picayune, MS http://www.scborromeo.org
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, MATTHEW 17:1-9
(Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 33; 2 Timothy 1:8b-10)
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, MATTHEW 17:1-9
(Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 33; 2 Timothy 1:8b-10)
KEY VERSE: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" (v. 5).
TO KNOW: When Moses renewed the law that he received on Mt. Sinai, a cloud covered the mountain symbolizing God's presence. After forty days and nights, Moses' face had "become radiant while he conversed with the Lord" (Ex 34:5, 27-29). On Mt. Tabor, the mountain traditionally identified with the Transfiguration, a cloud enveloped Jesus and his three companions: Peter, James and John. Jesus became radiant in his transfiguration (metamorphosis, a change in outward appearance). Appearing alongside Jesus was Moses the great law-giver, and Elijah the prophet. Israel had disobeyed God's law and failed to heed the prophet's message. Jesus was God's "beloved Son," the fulfillment of the law and the Prophets. Like Moses the people were commanded to "listen" to Jesus (Dt 18:15). When the vision was over, the disciples beheld only Jesus.
TO LOVE: How has my life been transformed by my relationship with Jesus?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, teach me to listen to everything you say this Lent.
Saint John of God
Saint of the Day for March 8
(March 8, 1495 – March 8, 1550)
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| Statue of John of God in Rome | photo by Livioandronico2013 |
Saint John of God’s Story
Having given up active Christian belief while a soldier, John
was 40 before the depth of his sinfulness began to dawn on him. He decided to
give the rest of his life to God’s service, and headed at once for Africa where
he hoped to free captive Christians and, possibly, be martyred.
He was soon advised that his desire for martyrdom was not
spiritually well based, and returned to Spain and the relatively prosaic
activity of a religious goods store. Yet he was still not settled. Moved
initially by a sermon of Saint John of Avila, he one day engaged in a public
beating of himself, begging mercy and wildly repenting for his past life.
Committed to a mental hospital for these actions, John was
visited by Saint John, who advised him to be more actively involved in tending
to the needs of others rather than in enduring personal hardships. John gained
peace of heart, and shortly after left the hospital to begin work among the
poor.
He established a house where he wisely tended to the needs of
the sick poor, at first doing his own begging. But, excited by the saint’s
great work and inspired by his devotion, many people began to back him up with
money and provisions. Among them were the archbishop and marquis of Tarifa.
Behind John’s outward acts of total concern and love for
Christ’s sick poor was a deep interior prayer life which was reflected in his
spirit of humility. These qualities attracted helpers who, 20 years after
John’s death, formed the Brothers Hospitallers, now a worldwide religious
order.
John became ill after 10 years of service, but tried to disguise
his ill health. He began to put the hospital’s administrative work into order
and appointed a leader for his helpers. He died under the care of a spiritual
friend and admirer, Lady Ana Ossorio.
Reflection
The utter humility of John of God, which led to a totally
selfless dedication to others, is most impressive. Here is a man who realized
his nothingness in the face of God. The Lord blessed him with the gifts of
prudence, patience, courage, enthusiasm, and the ability to influence and
inspire others. He saw that in his early life he had turned away from the Lord,
and, moved to receive his mercy, John began his new commitment to love others
in openness to God’s love.
Saint John of God is the Patron Saint of:
Booksellers
Firefighters
Heart Patients
Hospitals
Nurses
Printers
Sick
Firefighters
Heart Patients
Hospitals
Nurses
Printers
Sick
Lectio Divina: 2nd Sunday of Lent (A)
Lectio Divina
Sunday, March 8, 2020
The Transfiguration of Jesus
Matthew 17:1-9
Matthew 17:1-9
1. LECTIO
a) Initial Prayer:
Oh God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of Christ, the Lord,
confirmed the mysteries of faith by the witness of the Law and of the prophets
and have admirably pre-announced our definite adoption as Your
children, may we listen to the Word of Your Beloved Son to become coheirs
of His immortal life.
b) Reading of the Gospel:
1 Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and
his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There in
their presence He was transfigured: His face shone like the sun
and His clothes became as dazzling as light. 3 And suddenly Moses and
Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with Him. 4 Then Peter spoke to
Jesus. 'Lord,' he said, 'it is wonderful for us to be here; if you want me to,
I will make three shelters here, one for you, one for Moses and one for
Elijah.' 5 He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with
shadow, and suddenly from the cloud there came a voice which said, 'This
is My Son, the Beloved; He enjoys my favor. Listen to Him.' 6
When they heard this, the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear. 7
But Jesus came up and touched them, saying, 'Stand up, do not be afraid.' 8 And
when they raised their eyes they saw no one but Jesus. 9 As they came down from
the mountain Jesus gave them this order, 'Tell no one about this vision until
the Son of man has risen from the dead.'
c) Moments of silence:
So that God’s Word may enter into us and enlighten our
life.
2. MEDITATIO
a) Key for the Reading:
The Gospel according to Matthew insists on the coming of the
Kingdom of Heaven. This is why Matthew’s Gospel is the Gospel of the Church,
that is of the People of God guided by its Head and Master Jesus, the Christ.
The text which narrates the event of the Transfiguration forms part of a
section of the Gospel in which, the Evangelist develops the theme of the
beginning of the coming of the Kingdom in a group of disciples who gradually
will constitute the Body of the Church. We find the account of the
Transfiguration in all the Synoptic Gospels (Mk 9: 2-8; Lk 9: 28-36),
and we also find a reference to this event in the second letter of Peter (2 Pet
1:16-18). The text of Matthew (17: 1-9) though presents some diversity.
The account is found immediately after the first announcement of the Passion
and the mentioning of the conditions necessary for the following of
Christ and also the event of the glorification of the Son of Man in the
glory of the Father (Mt 16: 21-28). Before the glorification, Jesus has to
go to Jerusalem for the fulfillment of the Pascal mystery, that is: Passion,
Death and Resurrection (Mt 16: 21). Those who desire and wish to follow
Jesus have to deny themselves and then, also carry their cross to follow the
Master. (Mt 16: 24). Only in this way can we participate in His
glory: “Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses
his life for My sake will find it” (Mt 16: 25). Those who do not
accept the event of the Cross in the life of Christ and therefore in the
program of following him, are considered by Jesus as “Satan”, because they do
not think “according to God but as human beings do” (Mt 16: 23).
The command which Jesus addresses to Peter: “Get behind me, Satan!”
(Mt 16: 23) reminds us of a similar expression used by Jesus in the
parable of the final judgment “When the Son of man comes in His glory”,
(Mt 25: 31-46): “Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal
fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mt 25:41). This curse is addressed
to those who do not know the Lord and do not form part of His
Kingdom.
Then follows the account of the Transfiguration (Mt
17: 1-9) with the question on the coming of Elijah and the healing of the
epileptic demoniac (Mt 17: 10-21). After these events Jesus, for the
second time, announces His Passion (Mt 17: 22) and concerning the
question of the payment of taxes for the needs of the temple, Jesus plays on
the words regarding the reality of son-ship (Mt 17:24-27). In the
Transfiguration the Father declares that Jesus is “My Beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased. Listen to Him” (Mt 17: 5). We are also sons and
daughters, in Him, of the same Father (Mt 5: 45; Mt 17:25-26).
Jesus then presents Himself as our guide on the journey
towards the Kingdom. In the account of the Transfiguration Jesus is presented
as the new Moses who encounters God “on a high mountain” (Mt 17:1) in the
“bright cloud” (Mt 17: 5), with His face shining (Mt 17: 2.
Moses also encounters God in the cloud on Mount Sinai (Ex 24: 15-18) with
the bright face (Ex 34: 29-35). Elijah also encounters the Lord on Mount
Horeb, the mountain of God (1 Kings 19: 9-13). Just as in the event
of Sinai (Ex 19: 20; 33-34), here also in the Transfiguration there is the
revelation of the new law. To listen to the Beloved Son in whom God the Father
is pleased (Mt 17: 5). This new law, given by God on Tabor by means of the
new Moses, reminds us of what the Patriarch says in the Book of
Deuteronomy: “Yahweh, your God will raise up a prophet like me; you will listen
to him” (Deut 18:15). In this text of the Transfiguration, more important than
the law, of which Jesus is the fulfillment (that is why after the vision the
Apostles “saw no one, but Jesus alone” (Mt 17: 7), the revelation on the
part of the Father, who proclaims the divine filiation of Jesus
Christ is stressed. Besides this proclamation in the
Transfiguration, the identity of the Son is proclaimed two other times in the
Gospel of Matthew: at the beginning and at the end. After the Baptism of Jesus
in the Jordan, a voice from heaven says: “This is My beloved Son, in whom
I am pleased” (Mt 3: 17); and when Jesus dies on the Cross, the centurion
exclaims using words of revelation and of faith: “Truly this one was the Son of
God!” (Mt 27:54). Besides, in this proclamation, the Father reveals Jesus as
the servant of the Lord, pre-announced by Isaiah: “Behold my servant whom I
uphold, my chosen one in whom my soul delights” (Isa 42:1).
The discovery of the identity of the Son, arouses in the three
witnesses the fear of God, falling on their faces (Mt 17: 6). Already at
the beginning of the Gospel, in the birth of Jesus, the Magi “Entering into the
house saw the Child with His mother Mary, and falling to their knees, they
did Him homage” (Mt 2: 11). A similar reaction is also found in the
Gospel of John, after the self revelation of the Lord, in the account when
Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane. Jesus says to them: I am He!” [...] As
soon as he said, “I am he”, they moved back and fell on the ground” (Jn
18:5-6). Also in the Book of Revelation, John “in ecstasy” (Rev 1:10), saw “one
similar to a son of man […] his face like the sun shining with all its force”
(Rev 1:12-16), and because of all these visions he fell at his feet like dead
(Rev 1: 17). The apostle in Rom 14: 11 and Phil 2:10 will proclaim
that before the Lord, “in the name of Jesus every knee will bow before Him
in heaven, on earth and in the underworld; every tongue shall proclaim that
Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father”.
This vision is strictly linked to the mystery of the Passover,
it seems like an apparition of the Risen Jesus in all His glory, it is a
pre-announcement of the future life. For this reason, “coming down from the
mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about this vision until the Son
of man has risen from the dead” (Mt 17: 9).
b) To orientate the meditation and the realization:
= Read once again the passage from the Gospel, and find in the
Bible all the texts quoted in the key to the reading. Try to find other
parallel texts which can help you to penetrate deeper into the text in
meditation.
= Some questions:
i) Have you ever asked yourself who the Person of Christ
is? Does your vision of the identity of Jesus correspond to that
proclaimed in the Transfiguration?
ii) What meaning does the proclamation of Jesus as Son of God
have in your life?
iii) Jesus cannot be understood without the Pascal mystery of
the Passion, Death and Resurrection. What sense does this mystery have for you?
How do you live it daily?
3. ORATIO
a) Psalm 97:
I seek Your face, oh Lord, show me Your face.
Yahweh is king!
Let earth rejoice, the many isles be glad!
Cloud, black cloud enfolds Him,
saving justice and judgement the foundations of His throne.
Let earth rejoice, the many isles be glad!
Cloud, black cloud enfolds Him,
saving justice and judgement the foundations of His throne.
I seek Your face, oh Lord, show me Your face.
The mountains melt like wax,
before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim His saving justice,
all nations see His glory.
For you are Yahweh,
Most High over all the earth, far transcending all gods.
before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim His saving justice,
all nations see His glory.
For you are Yahweh,
Most High over all the earth, far transcending all gods.
I seek Your face, oh Lord, show me Your face.
b) Concluding prayer:
Let us rejoice, Beloved,
and let us go forth to behold ourselves in your beauty
to the mountain and to the hill,
to where the pure water flows,
and further, deep into the thicket.
(John of the Cross, Spiritual Canticle, 36)
and let us go forth to behold ourselves in your beauty
to the mountain and to the hill,
to where the pure water flows,
and further, deep into the thicket.
(John of the Cross, Spiritual Canticle, 36)
4. CONTEMPLATIO
“Let us go forth to behold ourselves in your beauty”
This means: Let us so act that by means of this loving activity
we may attain to the vision of ourselves in your beauty in eternal life. That
is: That I be so transformed in your beauty that we may be alike in beauty, and
both behold ourselves in your beauty, possessing then your very beauty;
this, in such a way that each looking at the other may see in the other their
own beauty, since both are your beauty alone, I being absorbed in your beauty;
hence, I shall see you in your beauty, and you will see me in your beauty, and
I shall see myself in you in your beauty, and you will see yourself in me in
your beauty; that I may resemble you in your beauty, and you resemble me in
your beauty, and my beauty be your beauty and your beauty my beauty; wherefore
I shall be you in your beauty, and you will be me in your beauty, because your
very beauty will be my beauty; and thus we shall behold each other in your
beauty. (John of the Cross, Spiritual Canticle, 36/5)
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