2nd Sunday of Lent (Cycle B, Year II)

Community Word: Our relationship with the Father gives us hope and fullness of life.

Theme: We receive fullness of life when we listen to God’s voice to transform us.

Promise: “I will bless you abundantly…because you obeyed my command.” (Gn 22:17a, 18b)

Reflection

Fullness of life as expressed in the community word for the month comes from the words of Jesus when he said: “I came that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly,” (Jn 10:10). Fullness of life has two spiritual qualities. One is joy, a state of rejoicing which is deeply-rooted because of one’s relationship with Jesus Christ. Two is peace, which is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of righteousness that brings the right relationship with one self, with others and with God.

The theme for the week is – We receive fullness of life when we listen to God’s voice to transform us. God speaks to us constantly, but do we hear Him speak to us and do we listen to His voice? He persistently communicates His truth and His direction to us and He always bestows His care and mercy to all of us. Often, He talks to us in a gentle, soft and silent voice because He wants our attention. And He waits for us to turn to Him, set aside all distractions and just be focused on His quiet but clear voice.

The quiet still voice that we begin to recognize as divine can only come to us in silence, solitude and commitment to listen to Him. This is a chance for us to converse with Him and listen to His gentle inner promptings that unfold to us every day and in every event of our life even through meetings and encounters with our family, friends, other people and even strangers. God is always present, anytime and anywhere. The voice of God can be found in our stories of struggles, confusions, doubts, crisis, and in our hopes, dreams and pursuits. Let us then keep our minds, our hearts and our lives open to God, as this is the grace-filled opportunity to seek Him, talk and listen to Him. Remember Jesus who turned water into wine? This is the same Jesus who can transform our lives, our homes, our careers and business and our future.

The mystery of Transfiguration is a manifestation and an unveiling of the glory that Jesus receives from his Father. This is also the confirmation of the Apostle Peter’s confession of faith and acknowledgement that Jesus is the Messiah and the beloved Son of God. But what can make us deaf from recognizing God’s call and blind from seeing God’s glory working in our life? Sin, unbelief, un-forgiveness, prejudices, spiritual lethargy, life of ease and worldly attachment, and many others can hinder us. But, as His beloved disciples, this should not discourage us because God wants to transform us and reveal His glory to us. St. Paul give this assurance: “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit,” (2Cor 3:18).

Are we prepared to see God’s glory, like the disciples who had a glimpse of this when they saw Jesus being transfigured on the mountain? During this season of Lent, may the words of our heavenly Father continue to echo in our hearts as a reminder – “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him!” (Mk 9:7b). May these words of invitation transform us and lead us to conversion and personal transfiguration, so that in faith, reverence and obedience, we will remain in everlasting covenant of friendship and peace with our loving God and be His true children. May we always feel His loving presence and His healing transforming mercy and compassion. As He promised, “I will bless you abundantly … because you obeyed my command,” (Gn 22:17a, 18b).

Prayer:
O powerful and almighty Father, help us to be aware of and be attentive to the ways in which You speak to us day and night. May this season of Lent allow us to have our own transfiguration and lead us to authentic transformation. Be our guide, light, and strength and may we be transformed unto Your likeness so that we can share and spread Your gospel of love to others with faith and joy. This we ask through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You, and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Reflection Questions:
1. How do I hear, listen and experience Jesus’ voice and His word?
2. How do I prepare myself worthily to commemorate the season of Lent?
3. How do I make myself ready for His final coming as Judge, in my own death and at the end of time?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
February 25, 2018 (Sun) – Gn 22:1, 2, 9-13, 15-18/Ps 116:10, 15-19/Rm 8:31-34/Mk 9:2-10
February 26, 2018 (Mon) – Dn 9:4-10/Ps 79:8, 9, 11, 13/Lk 6:36-38
February 27, 2018 (Tue) – Is 1:10, 16-20/Ps 50:8, 9, 16, 17, 21, 23/Mt 23:1-12
February 28, 2018 (Wed) – Jer 18:18-20/Ps 31:5, 6, 14-16/Mt 20:17-28
March 1, 2018 (Thu) – Jer 17:5-10/Ps 1:1-4, 6/Lk 16:19-31
March 2, 2018 (Fri) – Gn 37:3, 4, 12, 13, 17-28/Ps 105:16,-21/Mt 21:33-46
March 3, 2018 (Sat) – Mi 7:14-15,18-20/Ps 103:1-4,9-10,11,12/Lk 15:1-3,11-32

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”