2nd Sunday of Lent
First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4
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. "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." Abram went as the LORD directed him.
Responsorial Psalm: 33:4-5.18-19.20,22
Response: 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. (Response)
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. (Response)
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. (Response)
Response: 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. (Response)
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. (Response)
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. (Response)
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8-10
Beloved: 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.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 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. 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."
This experience is given right at the beginning of their journey towards Jerusalem (still they are in Galilee) and they are asked not to reveal this until after his resurrection. So this experience is something to do with his death and resurrection. The experience on this mountain top is an experience of the Glory of Jesus. This will lead to another mountain top experience on Calvary. The second experience will be an experience of the Cross. One experience leads to the other. The experience of the glory will help (or should help) the awaiting experience of the cross. A disciple should learn to see glory in the cross and learn to see the cross in the glory.
Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus
When Peter, James and John are there with Jesus, then there is something very important is going to take place. They are invited to experience something very special, which in turn would be one of the basics for the kingdom. They all have a vision of Moses and Elijah. Moses was the first one to experience Yahweh and share this experience with the enslaved Israelites. This sharing of God experience became the foundation for their liberation. Elijah was the first prophet who made the Israelites (who were enslaved to the Canaanite religion) re-live the God experience on mount Carmel. So the vision made them to reflect on God experience.This experience is given right at the beginning of their journey towards Jerusalem (still they are in Galilee) and they are asked not to reveal this until after his resurrection. So this experience is something to do with his death and resurrection. The experience on this mountain top is an experience of the Glory of Jesus. This will lead to another mountain top experience on Calvary. The second experience will be an experience of the Cross. One experience leads to the other. The experience of the glory will help (or should help) the awaiting experience of the cross. A disciple should learn to see glory in the cross and learn to see the cross in the glory.
