[Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 9:28b-36]

Recently I saw a parishioner in a new light. It was as they were waiting to receive the Precious Blood from the chalice. They had a serene look on their face; something which I had never observed in that parishioner previously. It was as if receiving the Eucharist had transformed them physically, and there was a sense of true happiness in their appearance as they waited in line to receive the Precious Blood.

In the past I have observed people coming from the Confessional with a look of joy on their faces, and I have experienced that same joy myself after receiving absolution. The Sacraments instituted by Jesus as part of the New Covenant have the power to transform us into new beings.

We hear in the Gospel of St Luke today, that when Jesus went up the mountain to pray alongside Peter, John and James, His facial features were altered, and his clothes appeared to be dazzling bright. Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Him. Moses representing the law and Elijah representing the prophets, indicating that the Old Testament is pointing towards Jesus as the Messiah. The Catechism quotes St Thomas Aquinas’ observation that the whole Trinity appeared together at that moment; the Father in the voice; the Son in the man; the Spirit in the shining cloud [CCC555].

The Catechism also quotes St Thomas Aquinas’ link between our Baptism and our resurrection “On the threshold of the public life: the baptism; on the threshold of the Passover: the Transfiguration. Jesus’ baptism proclaimed “the mystery of the first regeneration,” namely, our Baptism; the Transfiguration “is the sacrament of the second regeneration”: our own Resurrection.” [CCC556]. By allowing His Glory to be seen by men, Jesus gives us a foretaste of what He has promised us, that we can be like Him in heaven and rest in His Glory for ever.

Part of our journey towards our heavenly home is to recognise that we need to reconcile ourselves with God and our neighbour. Lent gives us a time to reflect on where we are on our journey. Through the three pillars of Lent; fasting, prayer and acts of charity; we ground ourselves in our faith.

By fasting we rely on our self-control, which is a fruit of the Spirit [Galatians 5:22]. A fruit of the Spirit is a change in our character that comes about because of the Holy Spirit’s work in us. We do not become a Christian on our own, and we cannot grow on our own. Philippians 2:13 says that “it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Every good thing we do is the fruit of the Spirit’s work in our lives.[1]

Through prayer we allow ourselves to spend time in communication with God. This allows us to shut out the cares of the world and rest in His Presence. The cares of the world will still be there after our prayer time, however, when we have spent time in prayer with God, the things we have been worried about seem to feel less important.

Through acts of charity, we allow ourselves to become part of the Good Shepherd’s flock as recorded in Matthew 25:31-40. Jesus taught us to love God and our neighbour. Acts of charity help those in need. Many of us will have fasted on Friday just gone with the aim of donating to Cafod for the annual Family Fast day. The money raised for this is vital for Cafod to continue the work they do on our behalf to help those suffering in places all over the world. Even if you forgot to fast on Friday, please don’t forget to make a donation. If you are unable to make a donation, please pray for the success of this year’s activities to raise money for Cafod. Recent Government decisions mean that there will be less Government support for the next few years for the charities supporting those in need overseas. This means that we have to work harder to support our Charities.

I’d like to suggest, that on this Second Sunday of Lent we take a look back at the first few days of our Lenten observances and review our practices. Have some of our commitments started to look a bit suspect? Do we need a little boost? Perhaps if we can all add a prayer for each other to our daily prayers; that we can be steadfast in our fasting, prayers and acts of charity, then we can all get a boost. I will keep you in my prayers, please keep me in yours.

Further Reading

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)

Second Sunday of Lent

CCC 554-556, 568: the Transfiguration
CCC 59, 145-146, 2570-2572: the obedience of Abraham
CCC 1000: faith opens the way to comprehending the mystery of the Resurrection
CCC 645, 999-1001: the resurrection of the body

The Three Pillars of Lent and the Jubilee Year

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is self-control? | GotQuestions.org

Please keep in your prayers this week

  • The sick and housebound, those who are dying and those who are grieving.
  • Father Jean-Patrice that he makes a full recovery.
  • The continued fight to protect all life from conception until natural death.
  • Fr John Chadwick, who is ill at this time.
  • For those who return from ’Flame’ that they be transfigured by their experience and be a witness for us at this time
  • The families who will complete the Baptism Preparation Programme at St Bede’s this Sunday.

Deacon Tony, 15th March 2025

[1] The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is self-control? | GotQuestions.org