Sunday, March 16, 2014

March 16, 2014: 2nd Sunday of Lent

In the midst of a penitential season with a more subdued, somber tone, we are reminded of where all of this is headed: the full realization of God's glory.

Right before today's Gospel reading in Matthew, St. Peter has just acclaimed Jesus as the Christ, and then Jesus tells His disciples that He must suffer, die, and be raised to new life.  After rising, Jesus is to be glorified, and He gives His three disciples (and us) a glimpse of this glory in His Transfiguration.

It's a great piece of reassurance to receive this vision toward the beginning of Lent so that we know our acts of denying ourselves lead somewhere.  And it gives us the strength to endure the hardships we encounter as we seek to live out the Gospel, as St. Paul writes in the Epistle.

As God called Abraham to journey forth, so He calls us to journey forth in this season of Lent toward renewal in our relationship with Him, and the Life it brings, not done by our own initiative, but because God has shown us His Grace and Mercy.

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