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Sunday Scripture Study

Scripture Study
Second Sunday of Lent – Cycle C

Opening prayer

Genesis 15:5-12,17-18 (Ps 27:1,7-9,13-14) Philippians 3:20—4:1 Luke 9:28b-36

Overview of the Gospel:

• In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus, having just made his first prediction of his Passion (Luke 9:22),

takes three of his Apostles (Peter, John, and James) up to Mt. Tabor to pray. Jesus often

prays at momentous times in his life (see Luke 6:12; 9:18; 11:1; 22:41; 23:46), and these

same three Apostles are often present at crucial times (see Luke 5:37; 14:33).

• During Jesus’ prayer, he is transfigured so that his divine glory (usually veiled by his human

flesh) is revealed, in a limited way, to these three Apostles. Their experience recalls the

experience of Israel at another mountain (Sinai) where in a similar way God’s glory was seen

and his voice heard (see Exodus 20:18-21 and Deuteronomy 5:24).

• The presence of Moses and Elijah represent, respectively, the Jewish Law and Prophets

whose voices Israel had always been urged to heed. Jesus, who is the fulfillment of the Law

and the Prophets, is God’s chosen Son; God’s voice tells us to “listen to him” (verses 35-36).

Questions:

• In the First Reading, why was Abram (later renamed Abraham by God) doubtful of God’s

promises? Ultimately, upon what did Abram place his trust that God would fulfill the promises

that he had made to make of Abram a great nation with innumerable descendents?

• Why would Jesus take these three disciples to witness this event? How is this related to: (a)

Peter’s confession (verses 18-20)? (b) Jesus’ prophecy (verse 22)? (c) The preceding saying

(verse 27)? (d) The radiant face of Moses (Exodus 34:29-30)?

• Why is this event misunderstood by Peter (verse 33)? Underscored by God (verses 34-35)?

• When have you experienced God in an unusual manner? What happened?

• When it comes to listening to Jesus, how hard of hearing are you?

• What do you do to obey the command of the Father to obey his Son?

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 554-56, 697, 2600

Closing prayer

The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may

not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the

quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of

Christ. -St. Anthony of Padua

Remember to read and meditate on the daily Mass readings!

Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics

www.sundayscripturestudy.com

Transfiguration and Suffering

Pastor’s Column

2^nd Sunday of Lent

February 24, 2013

“Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good that we are here.

Let us build three tents: one for you; one for Moses; one for Elijah.”

(from Luke 9:28-36)

No pilgrimage to the Holy Land is complete without a visit to Mount Tabor, only about 6 miles from Nazareth in Galilee. The mountain rises about 2000 feet above the plain, with a commanding view. We pilgrims had the choice of walking up (like the disciples and Jesus did) or taking the easy way out and using the tour bus (an option Jesus didn’t have!). I decided to take the bus to have more time to explore the church on top. Those walking up, however, got more than they bargained for: a sudden, unseasonable torrential downpour left them absolutely soaked when they arrived on top! Though we who took the bus missed the “suffering” of walking to the top, the others had a more memorable experience.

When Peter, James and John were at Mt. Tabor 2000 years ago, they encountered a vision of heaven on earth and, naturally, they did not want to leave (who would?). Peter wanted to set up tents for everyone and move in permanently! But Jesus had led the disciples to this mountaintop experience for a reason. He wanted them to see the future, to see the goal, to see Christ in glory, because what was coming was incredible suffering, so much so that all of them would be tempted to lose faith in Christ entirely.

Glory and triumph come after suffering. More specifically, any disciple of Christ’s will be asked to carry his or her share of the cross before being given their own personal transfiguration. The two go together in the gospel like bread and butter. Of course, most of us are looking for a shortcut to this process! Our time on earth, like Christ’s is not a pleasure cruise (occasionally these don’t turn out too well either), but a time of journey, battle, suffering, growth, sacrifice for others and, ultimately, transfiguration.

I am reminded of a saying that has proven useful on many occasions: love is what you have been through with someone. What kind of friend, spouse, relative or follower of Christ would we be if we were only willing to share glory, happiness, and a care-free existence with the other person? Instead, we prove our love as servants of God, as Saint Paul says in his 2^nd letter to the Corinthians “by great fortitude in times of suffering: in times of hardship and distress.” (2 Cor. 6:4-5). To have suffered with someone we love or for someone we love (and this is always for Christ), is to have shared something with them that will last forever. This is what Christ is offering us.

Father Gary