II Sunday Lent:[A]: Ex 17:3-7; Rom 5:1,2,5-8; Jn
4:5-42
Introduction: The common theme of today’s readings is metamorphosis
or transformation. The readings invite us to work with the Holy Spirit to
transform our lives by renewing them during Lent, and to radiate the grace of
the transfigured Lord around us by our Spirit-filled lives. The transfiguration
of Jesus on the mountain reminds us that the way of the cross leads to
resurrection and eternal life, and that the purpose of Lent is to help us
better to enter into those mysteries.
Exegesis: The fact that Jesus takes his more intimate
disciples to the top of this nameless mountain alerts us to the deeply personal
nature of the episode to follow. When they arrive there, the appearance of
Jesus suddenly changes. He is radiant with a light whose source is not
identified. When Matthew notes that the face of Jesus "shone like the
sun," he wants us to recall how Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with
radiant face after having spoken with God (Exodus 34:29). Matthew considers
Jesus to be the new Moses who brings a new revelation from God.
If
that is so, it is entirely appropriate that Moses and Elijah should join him
there, for they too had met God on a mountaintop and received a revelation that
illumined their futures. The face of Moses glistened from the divine encounter
on Mt. Sinai
and Elijah outran the chariot of Ahab after meeting God on Mt. Carmel
Anecdote: You
go into the movie theatre, find a seat that's suitable. You find a place for
your coat, sit down, and get ready to watch the movie. The house lights dim;
the speakers crackle as the dust and scratches on the soundtrack are translated
into static, and an image appears on the screen. It is not the film you came to
see. It is the preview of coming attractions, a brief glimpse of the highlights
of a film opening soon. The moviemakers and theater owners hope the preview
will pique your interest enough to make you want to come back and see the whole
film. On the Mount of the Transfiguration, Peter, James and John, the inner
circle of Jesus' disciples, were given a preview of coming attractions. Today’s
gospel gives us a splendid preview of Jesus radiant in divine glory, his mortal
nature brilliantly, though only momentarily, transfigured; a dazzling preview
of his divinity, unalloyed and perfectly pure, shining in glory like the very
sun. A sneak preview, in other words, of Easter, the triumphant climax of the
epic love story between God and humankind.
Joke: You now that story about the four young monks who take
a vow of silence? They're sitting in the meditation hall, when one of them
complains out loud about something. Then the second one says "be
quiet!" then the third one says, "you are both talking!" then
the last one says, proudly, "I am the only one who has not spoken!"
Practical Application: 1) The transformation in the Holy Mass is the source
of our strength. In each Holy Mass
our offering of bread and wine becomes transformed into the body and blood of
Jesus. Hence, just as the transfiguration strengthened the apostles in their
time of trial, each Holy Mass should be our source of heavenly strength against
our own temptations and a source of renewal of our lives during Lent.
2) Each sacrament that we receive transforms us. Baptism, for example, transforms us into sons and
daughters of God and heirs of heaven. Confirmation makes us the temples of the
Holy Spirit. By the sacrament of reconciliation, God brings back the sinner to
the path of holiness. By receiving the sacrament of the anointing of the sick
in faith we are physically and spiritually healed and our sins are forgiven.
3)
We need these 'mountain-top’ experiences in our own lives. We can share experiences like those of Peter, James
and John when we spend some extra time in prayer during Lent. Perhaps we may
want to fast for one day, taking only water, thus releasing spiritual energy
which in turn, can lift our thoughts to a higher plane. Such a fast may also
help us to remember the starving millions in the world, and make us more
willing to help them.
Introduction: Second Sunday of Lent
Message: Abram places
trust in God’s promise of making his name and descendants great on earth. In Jesus’ transfigured glory is revealed that
life and immortality will rob death of its power. The custom of reading today’s gospel near the
beginning of Lent may have come from an ancient tradition which held that the
transfiguration of Jesus took place forty days before Good Friday.
Saints
and Events in this Week: 17-Seventeenth-Monday-Saint
Patrick, Bishop, Patron of Ireland; 18-Eighteenth-Tuesday-Saint Cyril of
Jerusalem, Bishop, Doctor of the Church; 19-Wednesday-Saint Joseph, Spouse of
the Blessed Virgin Mary;
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