Lectio Divina for Second Sunday of Lent

Second Sunday of Lent
February 28
“The Transfiguration”

1. Lectio
Luke 9:28-36
28 About a week after he had said these things, Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up a hill to pray. 29 While he was praying, his face changed its appearance, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly two men were there talking with him. They were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in heavenly glory and talked with Jesus about the way in which he would soon fulfil God’s purpose by dying in Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were sound asleep, but they woke up and saw Jesus’ glory and the two men who were standing with him.
33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, how good it is that we are here! We will make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (He did not really know what he was saying.)
34 While he was still speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them with its shadow; and the disciples were afraid as the cloud came over them. 35 A voice said from the cloud, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen – listen to him!”
36 When the voice stopped, there was Jesus all alone. The disciples kept quiet about all this, and told no one at that time anything they had seen.

Comments
The disciples are not ready to accept the suffering and death of their Master, Jesus. Jesus has already warned them on two occasions and will do it a third time again. In order to encourage them and provide them with the strength to face this crisis, Jesus allows himself to be transfigured in their sight. Although the disciples would have wanted to prolong this experience, Jesus reminded them that they needed to come down the mountain, to the reality of daily life with its joys and sorrows, with its comfort and obstacles, with its trials and blessings. The transfiguration is a reminder that suffering are glory are intertwined, “that it was necessary that the Messiah should suffer (these things) and enter into his glory” (Lk 24:26). The transfiguration gave the right focus to the disciples in preparation for the crisis that they will have to endure: they always needed to focus on Jesus, God’s Beloved Son, and listen to him.”

2. Meditatio
1. Remember your peak experiences of God, when you felt very close to God and God to you. Remember how these experiences changed your life.
2. How did it feel after you have come down from your “mountain experience”? Are you able to continue encountering God and Jesus in your daily ordinary life?
3. Are you able to recognise God’s glory in the midst of your problems, difficulties and pain?
4. Listen now to the voice of Jesus, what is he saying to you?

3. Oratio
God our Father,
You have shown us the glory of your Son
So that we may never feel discouraged in times of difficulty
help us to hear your Son.
Enlighten us with your word
that we may find the way to your glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
Amen.

4. Contemplatio
Hold the image of Jesus in your mind. Gaze at him with love as he gazes on you with love.

5. Actio
1. Personal Life – Spend some time each day this week to pray and meditate before an image of Christ – crucifix, image of the sacred heart or divine mercy etc.
2. Communal Life – Pray for each member of the BEC, both active and non-active members, during this month, especially those who are facing some difficulties in their lives.