1st Reading – Gen. 15:5-12, 17-18
Ps – 27:1, 7-8a, 8b-9, 13-14
2nd Reading – Phil. 3:17-4:1
Gospel – Lk 9:28b- 36
One of the suggested scriptural ways to journey
during the season of lent is to enter into the sanctuary of the Lord through
prayer. Prayer has been a privileged
and effective means of communion for Jesus with his heavenly Father and thus,
he gave priority to prayer in his life.
As a preparation to his public ministry Jesus chose to be in communion
with his Father in silence and solitude for forty days in a desert withdrawing
from the noise of the world. Once he began
his mission entrusted by his Father he was busy preaching and caring the needs
of the people so much so he even didn’t have time to eat and rest. However, he was faithful to his prayer and
thus he always set aside time for it. In
prayer Jesus understood the will of his Father and received the grace of
standing firm amidst the adverse situations that challenged him during his
mission.
Today’s gospel reading taken from Lk 9:28-36 speaks
of Jesus being in prayer and his transfiguration. It was in prayer
transfiguration takes place. This was an important moment and event in the life
of Jesus for it was here that his true identity was manifested to his
companions who would be his messengers and witnesses. It was also an occasion to have true understanding
of their own vocation and the implications of following Jesus for they were in
a disturbed mind because of his teachings about the cross and the conditions he
laid for his followers. This experience
of Jesus’ transfiguration transformed the lives of those disciples so much so
that later on they were able to pass on this experience saying:“we have seen
his glory” (Jn 1:14), “we declare to you what we have seen and heard” (1Jn 1:3).
Followers of Jesus above all need to follow the
prayer life of Jesus. A constant and
committed prayer life alone can transform the lives of those who are called to
follow him in a special way. For this reason the Claretian Constitutions say:
“Daily prayer, faithfully made, is a primary need for both the community and
the individual missionary; therefore, it should be given priority in our life.”
(CC.37)
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