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 2ND SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR JULIAN EKEH

THEME: BE TAKEN UP HIGH APART AND TRANSFIGURED

(Matthew 17:1-9)

Jesus had just finished teaching about the cross and what lay ahead of Him. His Apostles were down spirited. The whole image of the cross, of the sorrows ahead, of awaiting dangers and insecurity took a better part of them. He thinks of how to make them realize the glory in store for them. He came up with an idea. He took them out on an excursion, sightseeing, a detoxification tour. Yes, He led them up to boost their drooping spirit.

 

LED THEM UP

Jesus wishes to change our spiritual levels. He wants to raise our hearts and minds above the ordinary. Leading up means leading away from. Leading up has to do with leaving off or leaving behind. It has to do with a leap, taking a leap of faith. It involves ascension, transcendence, and elevation. It involves going beyond. It is the Holy will of Jesus, especially this period, to invite us to lift up our hearts in prayers and in our every way of living. It is a call to remain on the side of Jesus. It involves being tireless in our spiritual journey. It challenges us to be like the eagle and take a flight from the world of sin, distraction, pettiness, prayerless living, tricks, dirty politicking, etc. Jesus takes them up from viewing His suffering as a thing of shame to seeing it as something that should draw them closer to be partakers of His glory. He takes you up to see that after the rains of your life, there must be sunshine. He takes you up to let you know that His plans for you are good. Yes, that evils in the world, and the various challenges you're facing right now do not have the final say in your life. He takes you up to make you feel special.  Think of the experience of the three apostles when Jesus took them out. They must have felt loved. It could be that the news of the death of Christ touched them most. They took it more person. You've got to take this year's Lenten programme very personal to experience the joy of Easter.

 

SET THEM APART

Many are called, but few are chosen. Jesus chose a few to represent the other Apostles. They were to witness what would solidify their faith. What they will see will go a long way to keep them apart from the bandwagon of those who saw erroneously. Having said: "If you want to be a follower, take up your cross," the Apostles started reevaluating their followership. Jesus encourages them to take it up as a distinguishing mark of an unending joy that lies ahead.

You have been consecrated and set apart by the dust you received on Ash Wednesday to be a bona fide participant in this year's Lenten observance and Easter joy. Are you responding positively to this call by living a holy life? Are you doing so by repenting and believing in the gospel and by staying away from the world and its lures?

 

TRANSFIGURATION IS IMPORTANT

Following Jesus in the hard teachings of Christianity brings us to savour the sweet presence of our Lord. It gives us an opportunity to see Christ as He really is. It enables us to put away all that makes us not to behold God face to face. In the transfiguration of Christ, we are meant to destroy all works of darkness and live pure before Him. We are invited to put on Christ as our garb and call to mind the white garment we received at baptism.

The moment of transfiguration serves as a warning to ensure that the laws and prophets are adhered to.

The transfiguration of Jesus before his disciples calls on us to build booths for Jesus to make our hearts abode of divinity. We have to listen to God this period. We have to kneel. We have to imitate Jesus, who pleased His Father, and make sure we do not offend God  through our deeds.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

May the power of resurrection help us to rise from our fears, disappointments, frustrations, and hopeless situations, from our weaknesses and from death. May we see Jesus alone and remove our attention from the world through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday (Second Sunday of Lent, Yr A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh