2nd Sunday of Lent, Cycle C

Prayer Commentary

Father, through our observance of Lent, help us to understand the meaning of your Son’s death and resurrection, and teach us to reflect it in our lives. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

1st Reading: Gen 15:5-12, 17-18

The readings for this Sunday remind us that the entire plan of our salvations begins with God. We plan to sin. God plans to save.

The first reading gives us the covenant between God and Abram (later Abraham). This covenant is initiated by God: “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as a possession.”

God tells Abraham that his descendants will inhabit the land (the Promised Land that Moses spoke of in last week’s reading).

The purpose of this reading is to show that God is in charge. It is God who initiates his plan for us to be restored to his loving embrace. He is the one who first calls Abraham. He is the one who promises Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars. He is the one who initiates the covenant.

Abraham, however, is recognized as a leader in faith for responding to God’s initiation.

Question:

How have I responded to God’s initial call to follow him in my life?

2nd Reading: Philippians 3:17-4:1

St. Paul challenges the Philippians to stand firm in their faith. He reminds them that it is God, who has initiated a plan of salvation for us all. He tells them that our home is in heaven, according to God’s plan through Christ Jesus.

As we struggle here on earth, we are not to lose faith, but trust that God will complete what he began by sending his Son:

“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

God initiates this plan of salvation. We are simply called to respond to his plan in faith. Like Abraham, our faith must be firm.

St. Paul warns against those who lose their faith and stand against the cross. He says that their minds are occupied with earthly things. The world in which we live has many crosses and each cross challenges our faith.

Thankfully, despite our lack of faith, Jesus carries his cross for all of humanity. Therefore, in gratitude for what he has done for us on the cross, we are called to “stand firm in the Lord.”

Question:

What cross do you carry today? As you hear St. Paul’s words, “stand firm in your faith,” do you find purpose in your suffering?

Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36

The transfiguration account in Luke differs slightly from Matthew and Mark. Luke is the only Gospel that includes the content of the conversation between Moses, Elijah and Jesus:

“And behold, two men where conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.”

This, of course, refers to the cross and death that Christ must endure for our sake.

Luke also goes to great lengths to tell us that Peter and his companions were asleep throughout the conversation. This is to show that our salvation is not made possible by our own doing. The Father initiates our salvation! Christ completes it! The Gospel of John (on Good Friday) says it well, “Now it is finished!”

While we were asleep, like Peter and his companions, the Lord was working out our salvation. At Easter, we will hear the beautiful hymn, “Awake, O sleeper! Arise from the dead and Christ will give you life!”

Those of us who have been baptized in Christ are awake to God’s plan for us. Though we have been asleep in sin, the Lord wakes us up to a new life with him.

Question:

In what way have your eyes been opened to the grace of Christ who calls you from sleep?

This Week’s Task 

Recently, hundreds of people were sent to our bishop for the Rite of Election. This is the final stage for those who are called to Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation (Initiation Sacraments).

Please take time this week to remember these men, women, and children who will be preparing to wake from their sleep and celebrate new life in Christ at Easter!

Group Prayer

The leader invites the community to silently examine their conscience. This is a time to reflect on sins and patterns of behavior that stand against the cross of Christ.

Using a bowl of water, the leader invites the gathering to bless each other. Dipping their fingers in the water, each will bless the person to the right and say:

“Awake, O sleeper! Christ will be your life!”

The prayer continues with Psalm 27.

Psalm 

Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom should I fear?

The LORD is my life’s refuge;

of whom should I be afraid?

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call;

have pity on me and answer me.

Of you my heart speaks;

you my glance seeks

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Your presence, O LORD, I seek.

Hide not your face from me;

do not in anger repel your servant.

You are my helper: cast me not off.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD

in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD with courage;

be stouthearted and wait for the LORD.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Conclude with an Our Father

Used with permission. All rights reserved. Christ in Our Neighborhood is a Scripture program designed by Bishop John P. Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix.