SECOND WEEK OF LENT T oday, the Second Sunday of Lent, as we continue on the penitential journey, the liturgy invites us, after presenting the Gospel of Jesus temptations in the desert last week, to reflect on the extraordinary event of the Transfiguration on the mountain. Considered together, these episodes anticipate the Paschal Mystery: Jesus struggle with the tempter preludes the great final duel of the Passion, while the light of his transfigured Body anticipates the glory of the Resurrection. On the one hand, we see Jesus, fully man, sharing with us even temptation; on the other, we contemplate him as the Son of God who divinizes our humanity. Thus, we could say that these two Sundays serve as pillars on which to build the entire structure of Lent until Easter, and indeed, the entire structure of Christian life, which consists essentially in paschal dynamism: from death to life. Pope Benedict XVI February 17, 2008 23
24 Second Week of Lent Sunday, March 12, 2017 Second Sunday of Lent Lent is the season in which we focus on moral correction, aligning ourselves with the commandments of Jesus. They are summed up in loving God with all one s might and loving one s neighbor as one s self, but Jesus details what this means in various contexts in the Lenten gospels. He wills to heal our blindness to our sins, especially those habitual sins we rationalize or despair of amending. Jesus, you were God among us, and your glory was to die for us. Thank you for being with me now as I read your Word. Read the gospel: Matthew 17:1 9. Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him! When the
Second Week of Lent 25 disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, Get up and do not be afraid. And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead. Notice what you think and feel as you read the gospel. Peter, James, and John are amazed by Jesus transfiguration before them and his meeting with Moses and Elijah. Then the voice from the cloud proclaims the Father s love for the Son and commands that they listen to him. Later, Jesus asks them to tell no one until he has been raised from the dead. Pray as you are led for yourself and others. Jesus, your divinity keeps breaking through in the gospels. I believe you are the Son of God, and I put my trust in you. Will you help me do your will? (Continue in your own words.) Listen to Jesus. Lean on my grace, my child, for you are beloved of my Father, too. What else is Jesus saying to you? Ask God to show you how to live today. If I feel your presence with me today, let me praise you and do your will. If I do not feel your presence
26 Second Week of Lent today, let me praise you and do your will. You are Lord! Amen. Monday, March 13, 2017 Merciful God, I depend on your mercy for repentance, forgiveness, reinstatement as your child, and sanctification. How shall I proceed? Read the gospel: Luke 6:36 38. Jesus said, Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. Notice what you think and feel as you read the gospel. Jesus commands us to be merciful toward others as God is. He commands us not to judge or condemn so we will not be condemned. He commands us to forgive and to give, promising that we will receive more than we can give.
Second Week of Lent 27 Pray as you are led for yourself and others. Lord, I see faults in others often. I cannot help but judge. Cleanse me of this judgmental mindset. Give me your true mercy for... (Continue in your own words.) Listen to Jesus. I love your sincere efforts to be made new and pleasing to God. You must rely on my grace at every step. As you allow me to work holiness in you, I shall work. What else is Jesus saying to you? Ask God to show you how to live today. Lord, help me strive to avoid sin and to do good today. Pick me up when I fall and put me back on your path by your grace. Amen. Tuesday, March 14, 2017 Lord, you are high and lifted up in glory even as you are here with me now. I seek your lesson for me today in your Word. Read the gospel: Matthew 23:1 12. Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not
28 Second Week of Lent do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. Notice what you think and feel as you read the gospel. Jesus notices that religious people love to exalt themselves and be honored and respected by those they command. Jesus turns the crowd s attention to the one Teacher, the Messiah, and to the one Father, God in heaven. Only those who humble themselves will be exalted. Pray as you are led for yourself and others. Only you, Lord, are exalted above all forever you who came to serve us and die for us. Humility is not a pose before you, Lord; it is our only rational response
Second Week of Lent 29 to who you are. Lord, give me clarity so that I may always know my place as your servant... (Continue in your own words.) Listen to Jesus. If you want joy, my child, embrace the role of the servant with all your heart. What else is Jesus saying to you? Ask God to show you how to live today. How may I serve today, Lord? Open my eyes and heart to serving you in others. Thank you for your light, Lord. Amen. Wednesday, March 15, 2017 Lord, let your Word today take my mind off of me and place it on you. Let me hold you in my heart with gratitude and love. Read the gospel: Matthew 20:17 28. While Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised.
30 Second Week of Lent Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. And he said to her, What do you want? She said to him, Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom. But Jesus answered, You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? They said to him, We are able. He said to them, You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father. When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. Notice what you think and feel as you read the gospel. The disciples don t really hear Jesus announcement of his coming passion, death, and resurrection in Jerusalem. They are caught up in their own jockeying for honor and authority. Jesus tells them that the one who would be great must be a servant, a slave, just like the Son of Man.
Second Week of Lent 31 Pray as you are led for yourself and others. I give myself to you and to others today, Lord. I want to serve as you served. Guide me... (Continue in your own words.) Listen to Jesus. Dearly beloved, I am here to serve you still. You wish to be like me in serving others. I will show you how and give you grace to do it. What else is Jesus saying to you? Ask God to show you how to live today. Lord, first I need a servant s attitude. Then I need opportunities to serve. You will help me! I have a new start every day in your grace. Glory to you, Lord. Amen. Thursday, March 16, 2017 Lord, you intervened in human history to save us from ourselves. Let me respond to your Word in the manner you would have me. Let me learn from you. Read the gospel: Luke 16:19 31. Jesus said, There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his