February 21, 2016: Second Sunday of Lent
Catholic Social Teaching: Care for God’s Creation
The current global situation engenders a feeling of instability and uncertainty, which in turn becomes “a seedbed for collective selfishness”. When people become self-centred and self-enclosed, their greed increases. The emptier a person’s heart is, the more he or she needs things to buy, own and consume. It becomes almost impossible to accept the limits imposed by reality. In this horizon, a genuine sense of the common good also disappears. As these attitudes become more widespread, social norms are respected only to the extent that they do not clash with personal needs. So our concern cannot be limited merely to the threat of extreme weather events, but must also extend to the catastrophic consequences of social unrest. Obsession with a consumerist lifestyle, above all when few people are capable of maintaining it, can only lead to violence and mutual destruction. (204) Laudato Si, Pope Francis
Readings
First Reading: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Psalm: 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14
Second Reading: Philippians 3:17-4:1
Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36
Catechism of the Catholic Church
For a moment Jesus discloses his divine glory, confirming Peter’s confession. He also reveals that he will have to go by the way of the cross at Jerusalem in order to “enter into his glory”
Moses and Elijah had seen God’s glory on the Mountain; the Law and the Prophets had announced the Messiah’s sufferings. Christ’s Passion is the will of the Father: the Son acts as God’s servant; The cloud indicates the presence of the Holy Spirit. “The whole Trinity appeared: the Father in the voice; the Son in the man; the Spirit in the shining cloud.” You were transfigured on the mountain, and your disciples, as much as they were capable of it, beheld your glory, O Christ our God, so that when they should see you crucified they would understand that your Passion was voluntary, and proclaim to the world that you truly are the splendour of the Father. (555) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Second Sunday of Lent, Cycle C
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church: No references this week
For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html
Reflection
Do you attempt to contain God in the confines of a spiritual tent, letting ideas flow in and out through a narrow door, instead of envisioning God permeating the diverse fabric of our lives? Prophets securely contained in a dwelling, each in their own abode, where paradigms fail to mingle in collaborative synergism. In so doing, do we become enemies of the cross of Christ? Are we afraid, lack courage to envision God actively creating a kingdom enthroned in peace and justice, to lessen the shackles of oppression, freely integrating the gifts of all the human family? Do we allow our ears to hear the prophets of antiquity and contemporary voices challenging us to dismiss collaboration with discrimination, respect God’s gifts of creation and have eyes to see all as brothers and sisters? To do so we must not confine God and the prophets in dwellings crafted from our limited horizons, fractured spirituality, but only envision the compassionate mercy of God as boundless. The applicability of words of the prophets as relevant not just when convenient or personally beneficial, but challenging us every day, in every situation to craft a world molded with humanity’s hands for the common good.
On our journey to God, we climb the mountain of faith, trails with curves, steep inclines and wandering meadows and can reach the comfort zone of the mountaintop to engulf ourselves in the cloud of religiosity. Holiness, in a false sense, that isolates our faith from relevance in the world. Only when journeying down the mountain, knowing the chosen Son journeys with us in the challenging, hostile Jerusalems of our lives, our world will we experience the meaning of the Transfiguration to be fully awake to the dynamics of our faith. When the initiative to build limiting structures institutionally and with mental parameters become replaced by faithful courage, for we see the light, bounty and limitless salvation of our God.
Individual Reflection Philippians 3:17-4:1
How are low income seniors in your community assisted? What food bank programs can you make them aware of? What reduced rate utility programs are offered? Create a resource packet for seniors at your parish and the broader community, they can avail themselves of to enhance their quality of life.
Family Reflection Like 9:28b-36
Train for a hike in the mountains on your next vacation. What analogies can be drawn to your family’s faith journey?
Prayer: Collect for the Second Sunday of Lent
O God, who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son, be pleased we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word, that with spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice to behold your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Blogs to Visit:
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites
By Barb Born February 15, 2016 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.
