Second Sunday of Lent

February 28, 2021

Second Sunday of Lent

February 28, 2021

Deacon Anthony J. Cincotta

Saint Mary Magdalen parish, Media, PA

 

Book of Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

Psalm 116:10, 15-19

Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans 8:31b-34

Mark 9:2-10

 

            Not long ago I baptized two beautiful baby girls.  In doing so it made me realize that from the very moment when we are baptized, we are sent into this world just as Jesus was driven into the desert after His baptism.   During our Lenten journey we begin our forty-day journey by reliving Jesus’ temptation in the desert.  This was to show us that just as Jesus did, each one of us must struggle against the devil and his temptations; each one of us has to reject sin and turn to God; just as we profess in our Baptismal promise. 

            Every year we begin Lent with Jesus’ temptation in the desert.  Every year on the Second Sunday of Lent, we hear the Gospel story of the Transfiguration. 

            Today we climb the mountain with Jesus and His three disciples, Peter, James and John.  With them, we become witnesses to His Transfiguration where our Lord gives us a beautiful glimpse of our destiny and our “ultimate destination.”   We are being shown where our earthly pilgrimage is actually leading us.  For just a brief moment, we get to see the “goal” of our Christian lives.  The Transfiguration is a sign of Jesus’ resurrection.  His transfiguration is a promise of our own resurrection.

            Within this amazing scene we hear Jesus leading the three disciples to the mountaintop and before their eyes His face starts to shine like the sun and His clothing becomes incredibly white.  Then Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus.

            Moses of course is the great law giver and Elijah is the great prophet.  In both of their lives they too had the experience of going up on a mountain and having a glorious encounter with God.  They are there to show the disciples, and to all of us, that Jesus is the Messiah; the fulfillment of God’s promise.

            As we look deeper into Mark’s Gospel narrative we realize that the Transfiguration reveals to us the mystery of the Holy Trinity.  The Holy Spirit comes in the form of a cloud and overshadows the mountain.  From the cloud, God the Father speaks, “This is my beloved Son.  Listen to Him.”

            My sisters and brothers, these are great words of hope and encouragement for us.  God our Father has given us His own beloved Son; to be with us, to teach us, and to intercede for us.  Isn’t it wonderful how much God loves us?

            At the end of the Transfiguration the disciples found themselves looking around and “they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.”  Jesus is alone with us as well.  He is all we really need.  He is with us when we are afraid and when we are suffering.  He is with us when we cannot feel God’s presence or there is a lack of love in our lives.  He is especially with us when we are having trouble finding purpose in our lives.

            Today we take strength and encouragement from all of our readings.  Today we take up our own crosses and follow Jesus more closely during this Lenten season.

Question of the Day:  Will you climb the mountain with Jesus and listen to Him?

Prayer:  Lord God, may Mary, our Blessed Mother of Your beloved Son, help us listen to His Holy Word and to follow His example, so that our own lives may be Transfigured by the light of His Holy presence.  Amen.

Prosit