Matthew 17:1-9

Genesis 12:1-4a

Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

2 Timothy 1:8b-10

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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you reveal your beloved Son to us and cry out to me today, “Listen to him!” Open my ears to hear your Word today and put it into practice.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Lent and the Transfiguration: On the Second Sunday of Lent, the Church reads the account of Jesus’ transfiguration. Just as Jesus encouraged his disciples and gave them hope on the way to Jerusalem, the Church encourages us and gives us hope during the liturgical season of Lent. During Lent, we are often focused on penance, prayer, and fasting in preparation for the Lord’s passion and death. The transfiguration offers a foretaste of the glory that awaits us at the end of the journey of Lent, as well as at the end of the journey of our lives. The appearances of Moses and Elijah with Jesus bring to mind how they were both miracle workers who fasted for forty days and forty nights (Exodus 24:18; 34:28; 1 Kings 19:8). “Both were rejected by some of God’s people; both encountered God’s glory on the high mountain of Sinai (also called Horeb – Exod 24:16-18; 1 Kings 19:8-12)” (Mitch and Sri, The Gospel of Matthew, 216). Every Lent, we are imitating Moses, Elijah, and Jesus with our forty days of penance, prayer, and almsgiving. And we hope to see God’s glory one day in heaven.

2. Three Promises to Abraham: In the First Reading, we are looking at some of the most important moments in the history of salvation. Last week, we read the story of the fall of Adam and Eve. Today, we read the three promises the Lord God made to Abram. The Lord God first promises to make Abram “a great nation.” Secondly, the Lord God promises to make Abram’s name great so that he will be a blessing to others. Finally, the Lord God promises that all the families of the earth will be blessed through Abram. The first promise was elevated to a covenant in Genesis 15. God was faithful to his promise and covenant, and the descendants of Abram became a great nation under Moses and began to conquer the land of Canaan under Joshua. The second promise was elevated to a covenant in Genesis 17. God was faithful to his promise and covenant, and Abram’s name became great – a royal dynasty – under King David. The third promise was elevated to a covenant in Genesis 22. God was faithful to his promise and covenant, and through the son of Abraham, Jesus, all the families and nations of the earth were blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins.

3. The Power and Strength of Divine Grace: In the Second Reading, from the Second Letter to Timothy, Paul encourages us to bear up under the hardships of our journey. This can apply to the hardships of our lives or the hardship of Lenten penance. We are not alone in this battle, but are strengthened by God: “Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.” This is the strength and power of divine grace and virtues like faith, hope, and charity. God “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.” Salvation and holiness are not something we achieve on our own, but only with the grace of Jesus Christ. Alone, we can do nothing, but with God, all things are possible.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you revealed your glory to Peter, James, and John. Allow me to contemplate the glory of your face. May this contemplation be a source of strength in times of trial and hardship.

Living the Word of God: What graces do I need to ask for on this Sunday of Lent? What does the week ahead look like? What hardships await? Am I trusting in God’s power to strengthen me?