Go up the Mountain……Readings for Sunday March 20, 2011

Second Sunday of Lent


Summary of the Gospel from YM Central



Ever have a friend reveal a new side of them to you and it left you speechless? Welcome to the world of Sts. Peter, James, and John. Our Gospel reading this Sunday takes us to the Transfiguration of Jesus. This event gives the three Apostles a glimpse at the full divine identity of Jesus. First, we have to wonder why Jesus only took three of Apostles with Him? Why keep it a secret from everyone? Why even show these three in the first place? No matter Jesus’ reasons, what we can take from it is the fact that Jesus, in the midst of His earthly ministry, never lost or gave up His divine nature: God was truly walking with us on this planet. Imagine the reaction that Sts. Peter, James and John must have had as Jesus’ appearance changed right before their eyes. There is no other way to put it: They must have freaked out. Jesus does not let back His glory from them, and then Moses and Elijah show up on the scene. Why Moses and Elijah? Moses represents the Law and the Ten Commandments, and Elijah represents the prophets and their call to repentance: Together they represent the Old Covenant. Jesus stands between them as the fulfillment of the Old Covenant and the center of the New Covenant. If Jesus’ transformation was not enough, if having Moses and Elijah with them was not enough, then hearing the voice of the Father from heaven was. The Apostles immediately fell to the ground and were afraid. As quickly as the Transfiguration began, it ended, with Jesus, looking ‘normal’, and Moses and Elijah gone from the scene. From this event we understand that Jesus knew full-well that not only He would die, but would rise again. Jesus tells the three to keep the whole incident quiet until He has been raised from the dead. Why would Jesus want to keep this incident quiet? Jesus knew that the world was not yet ready to know His divine identity at this time. Jesus guards the amount of knowledge He gives His disciples, who are not ready for the full story, the full understanding of who Jesus is and what He’s got planned for them. The Lord treats us the same way, slowly revealing Himself to us as we are ready. As we continue to enter more deeply into our Lenten practices, we have to make sure that we are seeking God’s presence in everything we do. Jesus desires to reveal Himself to us this Lent in a way we have never before experienced. What is demanded on our part is that we simply open ourselves up more to His love. By doing this, we will see a new side of Jesus’ love for us. Let us pray for a continued ability to respond to God’s invitation to love Him more and more.

Reading 1 Genesis 12:1-4a

1 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. 2 “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. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you.” 4a Abram went as the LORD directed him.

Reading 2 2 Timothy 1:8b-10

8b Beloved: Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. 9 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, 10 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 Matthew17:1-9

1 Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. 4 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.” 5 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.”6 When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” 8 And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. 9 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.”

Discussion Questions:

1. Why would Jesus take these three disciples to witness this event?

2. What was Jesus’ purpose in transfiguring Himself before Peter, James and John? Why did He decide not to appear this way in front of the whole Twelve? Why do you think Peter, James and John kept quiet about this event?

3. What in the world was St. Peter thinking when he said to the Lord, “If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”? Why don’t you think Jesus responded to St. Peter?

4. Why is the event misunderstood by Peter?

5. When it comes to listening to Jesus, how hard of hearing are you?

6. Does Jesus ever scare you? Why? Why not? What can you do to be less afraid of Jesus?

7. How has your Lenten journey been to this point? Have you been faithful to your Lenten promises? What is the next step you need to take to love God more deeply this Lent?


Enjoy the readings, pass them on!!
IHN, tommyk