2nd Sunday of Lent (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

2nd Sunday of Lent (C), February 24, 2013

Liturgical readings
Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17 - 4:1
Luke 9:28-36

Listen to Him.

The 2nd Sunday of Lent in Year C presents the mystery of the Lord's Transfiguration. Luke describes this event in Chapter 9. Jesus was praying on a mountain, and then His face and clothing became dazzlingly white. The prophets Moses and Elijah appeared beside Him and spoke of the His passage which He was about to fulfil in Jerusalem. While this was happening, Peter, John and James were asleep. But the event awoke them and they saw the dazzling glory of the Lord with Moses and Elijah. Peter said: "Master, how good it is for us to be here...let us set up three booths..." A cloud suddenly overshadowed them - causing fear in their hearts. A voice spoke from the cloud: "This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to Him." As the voice fell silent, and Jesus was there alone with them, the disciples kept quiet. They told nothing of what they had witnessed.

The last time we hear of a similar Voice speaking in the same manner, was during the feast of the Lord's baptism. The gospel passage also presents a voice from heaven saying: "This is my beloved Son. My favor rests on Him." It was the voice of the Father. The voice confirms in both instances, in both the Baptism of the Lord and the Transfiguration, the divine Sonship of the Lord. The only difference between what the voice said in the event of the Baptism and in the event of the Transfiguration is the emphasis of "Listen to Him" in the Transfiguration event. That emphasis from the voice of the Father is important - for if only the apostles and disciples listened well to all that the Lord had spoken of, then they would have understood well the meaning of the events that would occur in Jerusalem, and not flee when Jesus was arrested and led to His crucifixion.

Lent is a time for more listening - one with more intent and purpose. Despite any family, work or professional responsibility, one can easily resolve to set aside more time for reflection and prayer. Reflection and prayer are very healing and life-giving spiritual activities; it helps any believer and all others around him to slow down from the frenetic pace of modern life. The times we can set for reflection and prayer, for an additional Mass on a weekday, or more visits to the Blessed Sacrament, can enkindle that spiritual vision of life that is often forgotten when life is spent too much on the surface of things. It is these times of seeking the Lord's presence in the liturgical season of Lent, where one can rediscover the priceless value of listening to the Source, God Himself in Word and Sacrament, to strengthen our resolve to follow His will in all matters of work and life.

Commemoration of Saints (March 15)

Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration

• Longinus, martyr
• Matrona, virgin and martyr
• Zachary, pope
• Lucretia, virgin and martyr
• Louise de Marillac, widow
• Clement Mary Hofbauer, priest [1]

Today, March 15, the Catholic Church commemorates 2 virgin-martyrs, 1 martyr, 1 pope, 1 widow and foundress, and 1 priest-religious.

St. Louise de Marillac (1591-1660 A.D.) was married and after her husband's death, she met St. Vincent de Paul. It was Vincent de Paul who encouraged Louise de Marillac to lead a group of aristocratic women in caring for the sick and the poor. In 1633 A.D., this group of women began to work in the Parisian home of Louise de Marillac. It soon developed under St. Vincent de Paul's spiritual guidance to become the religious congregation of the Sisters of Charity. They soon founded more apostolic communities in other parts of the world continuing to take charge of hospitals, orphanages and even schools. St. Louise de Marillac herself continued to care for the sick and even nursed those who suffered from the plague. She died on March 15 [2].

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [March 15]

• St. Agapius, Martyr, and six companions: Timolaus, Alexander, Alexander, Romel, Dionisii, Dionisii [1]

Martyrs Agapius, Publius, Timolaus, Romulus, two named Dionysius, and two named Alexander, at Caesarea in Palestine were executed during the persecution of Christians under Diocletian because they refused to sacrifice to pagan idols. They were terribly tortured and executed: some by burning, others by being thrown to the wild beasts or beheaded [3].

References: Books, Websites & AI Search Results

• [1] Pocket Catholic Dictionary, John A. Hardon
• [2] Lives of the Saints, Richard P. McBrien
• [3] Martyrs Agapius and Companions, Oca.org

Books and Resources on the Holy Spirit

In Western Christianity, the least written about among the three persons of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit. However, during preparation of the Jubilee year in 2000 A.D., the year 1998 was dedicated to the person of the Holy Spirit. There is a lot of books and resources that were written on the Holy Spirit during that time. Some of these resources are included in the list given below.

• The Wellspring of Love: 30 Days Reflections on the Person of the Holy Spirit [this is an unpublished booklet that was prepared for the year 1998 A.D. in preparation for the Jubilee Year of 2000] written by Rev. Fr. Jose M. Dimaculangan
• Spiritual Gifts by Stephen B. Clark
• In the Power of the Spirit: Effective Catholic Evangelization by Kevin M. Ranaghan
• Still Riding the Wind: Learning the Ways of the Spirit by George T. Montague, S.M.
• Resting in the Spirit by Fr. Robert Degrandis
• The Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life...prepared by the Theological Commission for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000
• The Spirit is Lord and Gives Life...prepared by the Pastoral-Missionary Commission of the Central Committee for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000
• The Spirit Broods Over the World by George A. Maloney, SJ
• The Holy Spirit Acting in Our Souls by Alexis Riaud
• Rebirth in the Holy Spirit by Blessed Elena Guerra
• The Acts of the Apostles: A Collegeville Bible Commentary by William S. Kurz
• The Gift of God the Holy Spirit by Andrew Apostoli, CFR
• Lord and Giver of Life, Dominum et Vivificantem, Encyclical of John Paul II written May 30, 1986

Other books in Librarything.com