LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 26(27):1, 7-9, 13-14
Second reading: Philippians 3:17-4:1
Gospel: Luke 9:28-36
Link to readings
Today’s readings are full of hope, encouraging us to reflect on faith and transformation, and to trust in God’s promises. As Lent continues, we try to spend extra time in prayer, giving ourselves more opportunity to recognide the presence and action of God in our lives.
In Luke’s Gospel of the Transfiguration, Jesus takes Peter, James and John up the mountain to pray. In the presence of Moses and Elijah, they see a glimpse of Jesus’s true identity: his divinity is revealed. A voice from the cloud confirms Jesus as God’s Son, and commands us: ‘Listen to him!’
Faithful Abram also hears God’s voice, promising him offspring and land to him and his descendants. (First Reading) St Paul (Second Reading) tells the Philippians to model themselves on those who already live as Christians. He encourages us to hold fast to Christ rather than focusing on worldly distractions (‘earthly things’). Those who are faithful will have their true home in heaven, where Jesus will transform our bodies to be like his. The Psalm is full of trust and hope. We are encouraged to seek God’s face and strength always: he is the light in our darkness, and our salvation.
As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year, we pray that, like Peter, James and John, we may have a deeper trust and faith in Jesus, as we focus on listening to him. We remember especially this week those who are victims of natural disasters and the climate crisis.
PSALM 26 (27)
R./ The Lord is my light and my salvation
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
whom should I dread?’
O Lord, hear my voice when I call;
have mercy and answer me.
Of you my heart has spoken,
‘Seek his face’.
It is your face, O Lord, that I seek;
hide not your face from me.
Dismiss not your servant in anger;
you have been my help.
I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong;
be stout-hearted, and wait for the Lord!
REFLECTION
I come, with open heart and hands, to the place where I want to pray. I let my mind slow down, allowing God’s loving gaze to welcome me. Taking note of how I’m feeling, I gradually become still. There is no rush.
In time I slowly read the psalm, pausing after each verse. What draws me? Is there a word that particularly catches my attention? Perhaps light . . . stronghold . . . mercy . . . help . . . stout-hearted . . . goodness . . . salvation? I notice how fervently the psalmist seeks the Lord’s face, begging for his call to be heard. Whom or what do I seek in times of challenge or distress? I speak to Jesus from my heart.
Jesus would have prayed this psalm many times. Maybe I picture him praying it on the mountain of Transfiguration . . . on his way to Jerusalem . . . to Gethsemane . . . to Calvary. What do I want to say to Jesus now?
The psalmist celebrates the Lord’s goodness. Where have I experienced such goodness this week? Giving thanks, I bring this to mind now. When I am ready, I slowly close my prayer, perhaps using the psalm refrain.
GOSPEL
Luke 9: 28–36
At that time: Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah’ – not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!’ And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
REFLECTION
I gently become still and invite the Holy Spirit to guide me. I try to let go of anything that unsettles me, making space in my heart for prayer. Perhaps now I picture this familiar Gospel scene . . . Jesus at prayer, and the transformation within him taking place. What do I notice about the disciples? Wonder . . . amazement ... confusion? What thoughts and emotions are stirring in me?
Peter wants to stay on the mountain as long as he can, prolonging this moment of experiencing Jesus in his glory. Perhaps I remember a time when I went through a very significant event, or a time of consolation. I recall how I felt, and savour the details.
How might Jesus feel as he hears himself called ‘my Son, my Chosen One’, recalling the Father’s words spoken at his baptism: ‘You are my beloved Son’? How might this beloved, chosen Son respond as he contemplates his mission now?
God chose me too: we are all his beloved children. What do I want to say to God or to Jesus right now? I speak freely from my heart, and I listen, remembering that ‘it is good to be here’. Giving thanks, I end this time slowly, praying with Jesus, ‘Our Father . . .’
Courtesy of St Beuno’s Outreach in the Diocese of Wrexham, UK