Second Sunday of Lent Lectionary Reflection March 8, 2020

 

March 8, 2020: Second Sunday of Lent

 

Catholic Social Teaching:

Pope Francis’ homilies on the Transfiguration

http://www.popefrancishomilies.com/transfiguration

 

Readings 

First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a

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

Second Reading: 2nd Timothy 1:8b-10

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church

On the threshold of the public life: the baptism; on the threshold of the Passover: the Transfiguration. Jesus’ baptism proclaimed “the mystery of the first regeneration”, namely, our Baptism; the Transfiguration “is the sacrament of the second regeneration”: our own Resurrection.  From now on we share in the Lord’s Resurrection through the Spirit who acts in the sacraments of the Body of Christ. The Transfiguration gives us a foretaste of Christ’s glorious coming, when he “will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body.” But it also recalls that “it is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God”:

Peter did not yet understand this when he wanted to remain with Christ on the mountain. It has been reserved for you, Peter, but for after death. For now, Jesus says: “Go down to toil on earth, to serve on earth, to be scorned and crucified on earth. Life goes down to be killed; Bread goes down to suffer hunger; the Way goes down to be exhausted on his journey; the Spring goes down to suffer thirst; and you refuse to suffer?” (556) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Second Sunday of Lent, Cycle A

 

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 

Where do the mountain top experiences of our lives take us?  Do we linger in the exhilaration but tentative to let courage overtake complacency from spiritual comfort?  A bliss of knowing the Divine more intimately and clearly, but ignoring the tug to journey into the unsettling, confounding reality of humanity.  The place where courage to listen to God’s beloved Son overtakes personal destiny.  The spiritual touch encompassed on the mountain top prompting us to arise without fear.  A place of clarity where other points of departure vanish and only the path of following Jesus remains.  The calling of us to not waste the mountain top experience in personal solace, but used for the blessing of others and ourselves.  The reality that the manifestation of the law and prophets is fully fulfilled in Jesus. We place our trust in Him and serve prioritizing justice and right, for that is what He loves.  

 

Individual Reflection:Matthew 17:1-9

https://sites.google.com/a/maryknoll.us/maryknoll-mission-education-promotion/home/resources/mission-spirituality/lent-2020

 

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

Apply for a Catholic Climate Project $1000 grant to help your parish live the message of Laudato Sí

https://www.catholicclimateproject.org/resources/grant-application

 

Prayer: Mediate on the song Transfigure Us, O Lord by Bob Hurd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5SQG4cX8vw

 

Blogs to Visit:

http://marynow.wordpress.com/

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.

http://idocst.wordpress.com/

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

https://csmresources.wordpress.com/

Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.

https://smrep.wordpress.com/

Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

 

Involvement Opportunities

List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

 

By Barb  Born  March 6, 2020 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Second Sunday of Lent Lectionary Reflection March 17, 2019

March 17, 2019: Second Sunday of Lent
Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity

Reflect on  how UN Sustainable Development Goals relate to Catholic Social Teaching

https://www.caritas.eu/the-sustainable-development-goals-sdgs/

Read about the work of Catholic Relief Services work on Sustainable Development  Goal 6 relating to clean water https://www.crs.org/our-work-overseas/program-areas/water-strategy
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”.295 Moses and Elijah had seen God’s glory on the Mountain; the Law and the Prophets had announced the Messiah’s sufferings.296 Christ’s Passion is the will of the Father: the Son acts as God’s servant;297 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.”298

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 splendor 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:

Researching footnote references, so not including these references at this time.

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

The Transfiguration, a gathering of the Trinity, the Father in spoken word, Jesus in His humanity radiating divinity and the Holy Spirit in billowing clouds placing the apostles in encounter with the Divine.  An experience only when they became fully awake to see the dazzling Lord transfigured while in prayer.  To hear the affirmation of Moses and Elijah, representation of the Law and Prophets, that Jesus fully manifest, a fulfillment of revelation leading Him to the accomplishment of His exodus in Jerusalem.  To understand, grasp the relevance  Peter,  James and John allowed Jesus to guide them up the mountain.  A journey of trust in ascent to new heights of faith. A journey leaving them fatigues but soon to awakened to the full manifestation to hear God’s voice. Human nature would say embrace the power of the moment, encapsulated in dwellings to preserve affinity.  So wowed, they fell silent seeing Jesus alone.  The moment when they fully realized Jesus embodied the lineage of words spoken and fulfillment of the Law given.  Not just words etched with calligraphy on parchment scrolls but transfigurally etched spiritually in their hearts and souls.  Words to be manifest only by leaving the comfort and seclusion of the mountain and coming into the real world.  The dynamics of power between religious elites and occupying forces grasping for decisive control.
To be disciples of Jesus, we each must experience His Transfiguration, so He is not just a voice among many, but the manifestation of the Trinity inviting us up the mountain on a journey we may experience challenging. Him showing us the nexus of His humanity and divinity fulfilling the Law given and prophetic proclamations.   Maybe stunned and unable to articulate our experience, Jesus asks us to embellish the world with our experience. Something that cannot be done on the mountain top, forever sitting inside a church or retreating to the comfort of our home, but fully active in the streets of our Jerusalem with challenging dynamics, crowds and buzz of human activity.  An experience where the face of the Lord is never hidden from us, for we see Him in all those around us.  The call for us to be courageous, not timid.  To model in the world what Jesus models for us, so we do not become enemies of the cross.  Our lives cannot be absorbed with earthly things to negate our citizenship in heaven, as we stand firm in the Lord by the way we live our lives on earth thru experiencing the grace of the Lord’s transfiguration.

Individual Reflection: Luke 9:28b-36

Prayerfully reflect on the song Transfigure Us O Lord

Family Reflection:Philippians 3:17-4:1

Learn about Earth Overshoot Day.  During this Lenten season how can your family reduce consumption of earth’s resources?

https://www.overshootday.org/about-earth-overshoot-day/

Prayer: In preparation for the grace of Reconciliation this Lenten season, review this examination of conscience related to Catholic Social Teaching precepts:

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/penance/examination-conscience-in-light-of-catholic-social-teaching.cfm

Blogs to Visit:

http://marynow.wordpress.com/

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.

http://idocst.wordpress.com/

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

https://csmresources.wordpress.com/

Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.

https://smrep.wordpress.com/

Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters
Involvement Opportunities

List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites
By Barb  Born  March 13, 2019 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

Second Sunday of Lent Lectionary Reflection March 16, 2014

March 16, 2014: Second Sunday of Lent

 

Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity

“In a world of social and economic strife, solidarity calls us to see others, locally and globally, as our brothers and sisters.  People do not become someone to exploit and demean, but we affirm their life as part of the human family.  Solidarity calls us to respect life by pursuing peace and justice to dispel the culture of violence in the world.”  From: https://cst74life.wordpress.com/

 

Readings

First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a

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

Second Reading: 2^nd Timothy 1:8b-10

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church

“On the threshold of the public life: the baptism; on the threshold of the Passover: the Transfiguration.  Jesus’ baptism proclaimed the mystery of the first regeneration, namely, our Baptism; the Transfiguration is the sacrament of the second regeneration: our own Resurrection.  From now on we share in the Lord’s Resurrection through the Spirit who acts in the sacraments of the Body of Christ.  The Transfiguration gives us a foretaste of Christ’s glorious coming, when he will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body.  But is also recalls that it is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.” (556)  From the Daily Roman Missal, Second Sunday of Lent, Cycle A

 

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

On our journey, our eyes must not focus towards the ground in fear of encountering the challenging messy issues of relationships, work and society.  Jesus’ transformative spirit harkened the disciples to rise and not be afraid.  We can physically rise, but slumber in action, without our eyes and eyes of our heart focused on the light manifest through the Gospel.  For the Lord saved us and calls us to a holy life according to his own design infused with grace.  A holiness not absorbed in self-serving pious devotion, but radiating from our blessings, our lives bless others.  As Abram ventured forth from the land of his kinfolk, a comfort zone of familiarity, how will we hear the Lord’s call to share, serve and stand in solidarity with people we might hastily judge as “other”?  When “other” ceases to exist in our mind and on our tongue, we experience transfiguration.  A trek not on a leisurely stroll up a knoll, but sharing in the hardships to scale a high mountain, difference ceases to define our perceptions.  Fulfilling the prophets’ proclamations and law of love, our savior Christ Jesus brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.  We must let that light transfigure our lives, so we don’t seek to savor the mountaintop experience, but have the faith to come down the mountain to embrace the people systematically crucified in our world today.

  

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

Quietly ponder the words of Psalm 33.  Write a poem reflecting your experiences in light of Psalm 33.

Share the poem with seven people and encourage them to see God’s merciful presence in their lives.

 

 Family Reflection::Matthew 17:1-9

Visit CRS Rice Bowl website for families.  Select several activities to transform your family’s Lenten focus.

http://www.crsricebowl.org/family-activities/

 

Prayer

Lord, thank you for inviting us to the mountain top.  Let your light not bedazzle us, but may it illuminate the challenges we should embrace.  In trust, we ask you to help us not fret over logistics, but may your mercy instill kindness in our actions.  Even when clouds cast questioning shadows, may we always listen to the way of your Gospel, for you are truly God’s beloved Son. Amen

 

Blogs to Visit:

http://marynow.wordpress.com/

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.

http://idocst.wordpress.com/

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 28, 2014 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concerns.