February 28, 2010: 2nd Sunday of Lent

When we listen to Jesus as we pray day after day, we gradually come to understand what it means to be his disciples.

Jesus took Peter, John and James, and went up the mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was changed, and his garments became dazzling white. And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. …a cloud came and overshadowed them…And a voice came out of the cloud saying, “This is my Beloved, my Chosen; listen to him!” (Luke 9:28-31, 34-35)

Every year on the second Sunday of Lent we hear from one of the Gospel writers this story of Jesus’ transfiguration. Transfiguration means to be glorified or exalted in appearance. For a short while, the three apostles have a peek at Jesus as he will appear after his suffering and death, how he will look at his Resurrection. Jesus and the apostles went up on the mountain to pray. Moses and Elijah who also went up mountains to speak with God, that is, to pray, joined them. In prayer, they and Jesus found out what God wanted them to do. Glory is really about God’s plans for earth and how each of these three – Moses, Elijah and Jesus – carried out God’s plan for the people of the earth. When the voice of God speaks from the cloud, God tells the apostles, and us, to LISTEN to Jesus. When we listen to Jesus as we pray day after day, we gradually come to understand what it means to be his disciples.

Action:

One action of Lent is PRAYER. Take a few moments each day to go to a quiet place, maybe your bedroom, and pray. If everything in your life is good, thank God for all your blessings. If you have a concern, share it with God. If you’ve sinned, tell God you’re sorry. After you have spoken to God, sit quietly in God’s presence and listen with your heart!