On this Second Sunday of Lent we hear a familiar Gospel passage from St. Mark that is described as the “The Transfiguration of the Lord.” While translations and commentaries vary in their description and explanations of this event, one thing seems to be clear: Peter did not want the moment to end. When Peter experienced the presence of the Lord in this place in such a powerful way, he seems to be so overwhelmed that he speaks from his heart: “Rabbi, it is good that we are here.” This was a transfiguration for Peter: witnessing the transfiguration of the Lord. We can imagine Peter saying, “Master, this is a great moment! To be here now is just the best. Could we just stay here? I wish this time didn't have to end.”

​We have all had those moments that we didn’t want to end when we could say these words, too: a marriage proposed and accepted; the birth of a child; a great vacation; when touched by the Spirit in worship or prayer; when enjoying family and friends. Great moments! There are times and events that are so special—God-touched—that we do not want them to end. We wish the good feeling to go on and on. We avoid looking at a clock because we do not want to leave or say good-bye.

The Lord wants to bless us with these great moments—and if we are not paying attention we may miss them. When we are in step with God’s Spirit, aware of His presence, we can realize that something special is happening. Even though we may not fully understand all that it means or where such a moment may lead, we know that we are in the presence of God and in tune—in harmony—with His will. When we do, we should say in gratitude: “This is a great moment!” May God bless us all with a transfiguring moment today that causes us to exclaim: “It is so good to be here!”

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

The greats of the Catholic spiritual tradition routinely encourage fasting as a key to unlocking deeper prayer. St. John Vianney explained the connection this way: “Unhappily, our hearts are not sufficiently pure and free from all earthly affections. If you take a very clean and very dry sponge, and soak it in water, it will be filled to overflowing; but if it is not dry and clean, it will take up nothing. In like manner, when the heart is not free and disengaged from the things of the earth, it is in vain that we steep it in prayer; it will absorb nothing.” Thankfully, we have the example of Jesus Himself in how to fast and pray. May we take advantage of Lent’s call to intensified fasting and prayer so that we are like that sponge St. John Vianney spoke of, soaking up every word that comes forth from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4b).

David J. Conrad

Last Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten Season. As millions of Catholics came forward for the imposition of ashes they heard “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” Today, this First Sunday of Lent we hear Jesus in the Gospel of Mark say: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

​The readings for this First Sunday of Lent should evoke for us a remembrance of our Baptism—Noah and the flood-covenant, St. Peter’s referral to the meaning of this event, and the Gospel renewal of our Baptismal promise: “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel…” The Season of Lent always begins with readings recalling baptism to remind us of the inception of our faith. Where we go after is up to us…

The Responsorial Psalm for today is a prayer of plan and method, a way and an attitude of fulfilling our baptismal promises.  Psalm 25 is a petition to the Lord for this plan: “Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth…” The Psalm tells us that all the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy, that He guides the humble to justice. The friendship of God comes to those who fear Him and keep His covenant, to those who keep God’s ways.  So, we raise our voices together in praise, believing what we sing and singing what we believe.  In song we pray for those things he promises—and in life we lift our souls to the Lord for “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.”

We have these Forty Days and Forty Nights to begin our own desert journey. We also have the assurance (the covenant, the promise) of the love and mercy of God even when we fail. St. Peter tells us today that our baptism is more than the removal of dirt from the body, it is “an appeal to God for a clean conscience.” This is the love and mercy of God: we strive to keep God’s ways, we follow the plan, and we rise to new life.

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc