2nd Sunday of Lent – (Cycle A, Year II)
Community Word: The word of God transforms us to a life of holiness.
Theme:We are transformed to a life of holiness when we trust God to help us rise above our fears.
Promise: “…the eyes of the Lord are upon those… who hope for his kindness, to deliver them from death…” (Ps 33:18)
Reflection:
In the second Sunday of Lent, we experience God’s continuing blessing upon mankind by revealing to us the person of Jesus Christ in His glorious transfiguration. Lent is a time of reflection and of prayer, reminding us that we are one with Christ, joining our sufferings, our anxieties, and our fears upon the Holy Cross. When we are in prayer and in communion with Jesus, our own lives are transformed into a life of holiness. Jesus changes our fears into hope, like dazzling white robe that assures us in the midst of uncertainties. God’s love and mercy shines in our hearts and in our relationships, and as we come closer to God, our outlook in life becomes certain.Transfiguration reminds us of our life, lived in unity with Christ and being in our highest communion with God where we see His glory and holiness.
As in the Transfiguration, our prayers bring us to listen to Jesus and unite our thinking with God. Oftentimes, we try to bring God to align His mind to ours and get ahead of God to show us the way. But God calls us to follow His Son and talk to Him about all that is troubling our life, our brokenness, our sadness, our deprivation, our ungratefulness ignoring the blessings that come our way, the talents and resources that we waste and misuse.
Certainly, in Christ’s transformation event, we are called to be transformed in mind and heart. We need to re-evaluate our commitment and re-direct our vision to the Light. When we commune with the Lord in the Holy Eucharist, we can speak like Peter, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here…”(Mt 17:4). And just as the three apostles gained their awareness, we too will find ourselves alone with Jesus feeling assured of not being afraid of anything anymore. Not only are we unafraid, but we will have the courage to share our transformation experience with the world around us.
Recently, we concluded the 6th Inter-District Conference for BLD’s global leaders, which turned out to be successful. But earlier, to proceed with the event was truly a test of faithon the part of the organizers. Taal volcano just erupted and was becoming a treat to the venue where the conference was to be held. Then followed Covid-19 which was a major concern because the Philippine government called upon its people to take extra precaution including avoidance of large crowd. There was a real hesitation to go ahead! But in spending time in deep prayer and discernment, the Lord spoke – “Trust Me, this is My work!” Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the organizers with one heart, mind and spiritmade a decision to go ahead by holding the conference. Except for participants who were constrained beyond their control, all the rest came, believing and trusting in God’s protection and providence. Indeed, the Lord took full control and turned worries and anxieties to joy and fulfilment. The promise of the Lord came to pass. In Psalm 33:18, it says, “… the eyes of the Lord are upon those… who hope for his kindness, to deliver them from death…”To this, we say, Amen!
Prayer:
Holy God, mighty and immortal,You are beyond our knowing,yet we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ,whose compassion illumines the world especially our hearts.Transform us into the likeness of the love of Christ,who renewed our humanity so that we may share in his divinity,the same Jesus Christ, our Lord,who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit one God. Amen
Reflection Guide Questions:
1. How much of what we do or say in life is the result of “listening” to Jesus as His Father instructs us to do?
2.A s a disciple of Christ, how much of your ego or pride is in the way of extending forgiveness to someone who has hurt you, or asking forgiveness to someone you hurt?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
March 8, 2020 (Sun) -Gn 12:1-4/Ps 33:4,5,18-20, 22/2Tm 1:8-10/Mt 17:1-9
March 9, 2020 (Mon) – Dn 9:4-10/Ps 79:8, 9, 11, 13/Lk 6:36-38
March 10, 2020 (Tue) – Is 1:10, 16-20/Ps 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23/Mt 23:1-12
March 11, 2020 (Wed) – Jer 18:18-20/Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15, 16/Mt 20:17-28
March 12, 2020 (Thu) – Jer 17:5-10/Ps 1:1-4, 6/Lk 16:19-31
March 13,2020 (Fri) – Gn 37:3-4, 12, 13, 17, 28/Ps 105:16-21/Mt 21:33-43, 45, 46
March 14, 2020 (Sat) -Mi 7:14-15, 18, 20/Ps 103:1-4, 9-12/Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
