Study: Consider a time when you experienced the Lord’s presence.  How did the experience help you live your life?

Pray: Are you facing a tough time right now?  Ask the Lord for courage, strength and wisdom.

Serve:  How can you help someone see the “big picture” as they work through their challenges?

Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Lent

This week the Gospel of Matthew shows the transfiguration of Jesus.  Having brought Peter, James and John up the mountain, the Lord is revealed in his heavenly glory – surrounded by Moses and Elijah – as the Father’s voice booms out: “This is my beloved Son, listen to him!”

For a brief moment the disciples see Jesus as he stands in Heaven.  Together with great figures from salvation history, Jesus displays the power and authority he has as the Son of God.  It is inspirational, terrifying, awesome and mighty.

It’s also very brief.

The moment fades, and the fear experienced by the disciples passes away as the Lord tells them not to be afraid, but rather to tell no one of the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.

There are times in life when we face tremendous obstacles, challenges that test us to the extreme.  In the midst of difficulty we sometimes get a short reprieve – a moment where we can pause, step back, and see the big picture – so that we can keep our perspective and understand why we do what we do.

The transfiguration is one of those short pauses where the three disciples gain an insight into who Jesus is and what he must accomplish.  As we engage the struggles of our lives, may we experience moments of God’s presence, empowering us to keep going in the face of adversity.

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Catholic Inspiration Archive

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Note: This post was first published on March 6, 2017.