Second Sunday of Lent
“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)
SUNDAY, February 28th Mk. 9: 2-10 The Transfiguration “Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, ‘This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.’”
Part 1: The Transfiguration, excerpt from Pope Francis’ Angelus Message (3/16/14)
Part 2: TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
PART 1: The Transfiguration, excerpt from Pope Francis’ Angelus Message (3/16/14)
Today the Gospel presents the Transfiguration. It is the second stage of the Lenten journey: the first was the temptation in the desert, last Sunday; the second, the Transfiguration. Jesus “took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart” (Mt 17:1). The mountain in the Bible represents a place close to God and an intimate encounter with Him, a place of prayer where one stands in the presence of the Lord.
From the event of the Transfiguration, I would like to take two significant elements that can be summed up in two words: ascent and descent. We all need to go apart, to ascend the mountain in a space of silence, to find ourselves and better perceive the voice of the Lord. This we do in prayer.
But we cannot stay there! Encounter with God in prayer inspires us anew to “descend the mountain” and return to the plain where we meet many brothers weighed down by fatigue, sickness, injustice, ignorance, poverty both material and spiritual. To these brothers in difficulty, we are called to bear the fruit of that experience with God, by sharing the grace we have received.
And this is curious. When we hear the Word of Jesus, when we listen to the Word of Jesus and carry it in our heart, this Word grows. Do you know how it grows? By giving it to others! The Word of Christ grows in us when we proclaim it, when we give it to others! And this is what Christian life is. It is a mission for the whole Church, for all the baptized, for us all: listen to Jesus and offer Him to others. Do not forget: this week listen to Jesus! And now let us turn to our Mother Mary, and entrust ourselves to her guidance in pursuing with faith and generosity this path of Lent, learning a little more how to “ascend” with prayer and listen to Jesus, and then to “descend” with brotherly love, proclaiming Jesus.
PART 2: TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
For today’s meditation for the Lenten season, read and pray over very attentively the Biblical passage of the Transfiguration—the forth Luminous Mystery. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you in a very special way. Be docile, open and willing to listen to the Word of God. Our Lady pondered, meditated deeply the Word of God and she can help you to do the same!
Jesus willingly came to earth to share our human condition. Jesus has two natures: the Divine (He is God), the Human (He is man). The union of the two natures is the Incarnation. It was through Our Lady’s “Yes” that Jesus came down from heaven to earth and took on a human body. (Lk. 26-38) We’d like to offer some images for reflecting on this great mystery.
The Formation of Jesus’ Body. It was Our Lady, Mary most holy, who formed the Sacred Body of Jesus within her womb during the course of nine months. Our Lady formed Jesus, giving to Him from her own body and substance, His blood, veins, arteries, eyes, lungs, and even His most Sacred Heart.
Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was Our Lady who formed the most Sacred Heart of Jesus within her most pure womb for nine months. Turn to Our Lady and beg her to form your heart. Beg Our Lady to intercede for you with her most powerful prayers to purify, to mold, to recreate your heart so that it can become more and more like the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we be able to say the words of Saint Paul, as a result of the intercession of Our Lady: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal. 2:20)
Friendship with Jesus. One of the many lessons that flows spontaneously from the Transfiguration of Jesus is that of human friendship. Jesus ardently desired to enter into deep friendship with these men whom He chose—especially Peter, James and John. These were the three that accompanied Jesus as he ascended the mount of the Transfiguration. At the Last Supper, Jesus will call them friends!
Walk and Talk with Jesus. Jesus walked and talked with His friends. Jesus wants to walk and talk with you right now. Jesus wants to enter into a deep friendship with you now.
Mary and Friendship with Jesus. There was no one on earth, nor even in heaven, aside from the Father and Holy Spirit, who had a deeper friendship with Jesus than did His Mother Mary most holy.
Mary knew Jesus in the womb. Nobody knew Jesus better than Mary. As mentioned earlier Mary formed Jesus within her womb during the course of nine months. No greater intimacy exists in this world, on a human level, than a baby being formed in the womb of their mother.
Mary knew Jesus as a child. Jesus spent most of His life on earth with Saint Joseph and Mary in their home in Nazareth. Mary watched Jesus, talked to Jesus, listened to Jesus, contemplated Jesus—His face and His eyes. This happened for thirty long years. Turn to Mary as you strive to enter into deeper Friendship with Jesus and beg her to help you come to know Jesus better and better. Stop and talk to Our Lady right now with total confidence in her desire to help you. She is your mother and you are her child.
Santa María del Camino (Our Lady of the Way). There is a very well-known song in both Italian and Spanish with the title: “Santa Maria del Camino”—Our Lady of the Way! As Jesus climbed the Mount of the Transfiguration and made His way to the top, to the summit, His Apostles Peter, James and John walked with Him side by side. In your travels in life, beg Our Lady to accompany you, to be with you, to never abandon you, for Mary will always point you to Jesus. Mary will help you to climb the summits with Jesus and enter into deep union with Him.
Calvary and Mary. Jesus climbing the hill of Calvary is symbolic of our climbing up our own Calvary hill. We should never presume to have the strength to carry our cross by ourselves. Mary, who climbed Calvary with Jesus, can help you every step along the way. Life without Jesus and Mary can leave us sad, depressed and even bitter. That is why we cry out to Mary in the prayer Hail Holy Queen… “Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope….”
Pilgrim People. We are pilgrim people heading towards our eternal destiny, which is heaven. As we climb the mountain towards our eternal destiny—heaven, Mary can guide us, help us, encourage us, and comfort us. Spend some time now and talk to Mary about your past journey in life—the smooth and the rocky paths. Talk to Mary about your present journey in life, what has changed. Now talk to Mary about your future journey, your future pilgrimage in life towards your eternal home—your hopes, your desires, possibly your fears.
Star of the Sea. The great Marian Doctor of the Church, Saint Bernard, depicts this powerful image. A ship at sea is being assaulted by constant waves; the wind is beating mercilessly against its rudder; and the waters are starting to enter the ship. There is a real danger of losing the ship, of the ship capsizing and eventually sinking. All of a sudden a beautiful star breaks through the night clouds and glimmers forth. This star seems to be pointing towards the shore. The captain, with great confidence, looks intently and deeply at the star and decides to follow it. The waves subside, the storm calms down, the winds abate. With unspeakable peace and swiftness the ship arrives safely at the shore. The ship with its captain and crew are saved. Thanks to our Lady, the Star of the Sea!
In the midst of the tempests, storms, afflictions, trials, and temptations constantly present in our lives, we must lift our gaze to Our Lady, Star of the Sea. She will safely direct us to the port of salvation, to our eternal home which is heaven.
Mountain Top and the Shore. Both the mountain top of the Transfiguration, as well as the shore, are symbolic of heavenly rest at the end of our journey, by land or by sea. Jesus wants to walk with us, talk with us, be with us and accompany us the whole way. Our Lady also wants to keep us close to her on this perilous journey.
Distractions and Temptations. It is all too easy to give up climbing the high and challenging mountain. It is all too easy to sink in the waves of our own sensuality and selfishness and give up the fight. For that reason, we want to call out to Mary, who will always lead us to Jesus. The devil has a mortal fear of Mary, even of her Holy Name. Why not in moments of temptation call upon the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary—our sure salvation!
The Transfiguration’s Many Messages. The mystery of the Transfiguration has many powerful and deeply spiritual messages. The one that we have chosen is friendship with Jesus and His mother, Mary to arrive at our eternal destination, Heaven!
Ignatian Note. The Virgin that Saint Ignatius of Loyola had special devotion to was “La Madonna de la Strada”—literally translated: “Our Lady of the street”, loosely translated: “Our Lady of the way.” In the Jesuit Mother House in Rome this beautiful image can be found.
In concluding your climb and your sea-journey with Jesus and Mary, spend some closing moments opening up your heart to its very depths and talk to Mary. Tell her all that is going on right now in your life. Ask her to be with you always, every step along the way until your reach heaven. Always remembering that the quickest path to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Copyright 2021 Oblates of the Virgin Mary
St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA
