Gospel Reflection Mar 1 – Deacon Frank Iannarino
Sunday, March 1
Second Sunday of Lent
Matthew 17: 1-9
Gospel:
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Gospel Reflection:
Going up a mountain can be a special occasion for anyone who has the opportunity — good or bad. Jesus often taught His disciples and others on mountains, so they were already special places for Him. In last Sunday’s gospel, Jesus goes to the desert and mountain by Himself and was tempted. Matthew’s gospel tells us Jesus was comforted by the angels after He resisted the devil’s demands.
This Sunday we will hear where Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain and gives them the opportunity and a glimpse of His resurrection to strengthen them in preparation for His passion and death. Jesus stands before them, revealing Himself, as He truly is, full of the strength and power of God.
In the midst of the struggles of the earthly life, the Transfiguration of Jesus offers us hope, for it reveals that we ourselves are destined to shine with the very glory of God. Through our baptism, Christ lives in us, and He is configuring us, day by day, into the people who shine with His glory.
This season of Lent should be seen as an opportunity, not merely a total “desert experience ” for the building of our “spiritual muscles,” but most of all for deepening our relationship with Jesus. While spiritual practices, such as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are essential to our Lenten journey, holiness does not come from the sheer number of things we do, it comes rather through the spirit in which we do them, as we seek deeper communion with the ONE who is the source of all holiness.
As we attend Mass this weekend, we welcome Christ into our hearts through His Word and the Eucharist, so we can be called out of our everyday experience into a new reality – from self-reliance to trusting in Christ’s work in our hearts.
May Jesus set us free from our fears, temptations, and our sins, so we can follow Him on His journey through death, resurrection, and into the eternal glory that awaits us.
Deacon Frank Iannarino