Welcoming the Holy
Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.
By: Sister Donna Del Santo
Opening Prayer
Dear God, as I journey through Lent, may I be open to Your graces. Guide me as I try to choose Lent, and to act in the spirit of Lent as I examine my patterns of living and realign my priorities. May my heart be renewed, as I experience Your reconciling love and make myself available to Your gift of faith. Amen.
Reading
Matthew 17:1-9
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.”
Reflection
We may never experience anything as powerful as the Transfiguration. Yet, every day in countless and seemingly small ways, God does break into our world and our daily lives.
Every time we experience a moment of peace, joy, reconciliation or forgiveness, God is with us.
Every time that we reach out to help another person is a moment of transfiguration both for ourselves and for those we help. Each time somebody shows care and concern for us, is a moment when God is reaching out to us.
May we open our hearts so that we may hear Jesus speaking to us. May we slow down and look for moments of small and important times of transfiguration in our own ordinary daily lives.
What needs to be transformed in your life?
What would it cost you and what would it look like for you?
Closing Prayer
God of Light, as we continue our Lenten journey together, we thank You for the gifts of encounter on the mountaintop with You. Thank You for inviting us to our own transfigurations with the divine light of Your face. Help us to be aware of the radiance You bring into our daily lives so that we may be a reflection of You in the world. Let our faith and good works light a new light in the hearts of our community and those we serve. Amen.
