by Jose “joesum” Sumampong, Jr.  

MARCH 13, 2022

2 nd Sunday OF LENT  (Year C)

Genesis 15 : 5-12  /Psalm 27: 1, 7-9, 13-14  /Philippians 3: 17 – 4: 1 /Luke 9: 28-36

PRAYER AND TRANSFIGURATION

Word:   Luke’s account of the transfiguration comes just after the prediction of the passion of Jesus. The transfiguration happened during the moment of prayer.

About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray (Lk 9:28). How lucky these disciples are! They see Jesus praying! But we shall see very soon, from their behavior at that time, how unworthy they were of this special privilege. While Jesus is praying, they are asleep.

Jesus is truly “the man of prayer”. Prayer is his way of being always in contact with the Heavenly Father. Luke, in the gospel, many times has pointed how Jesus prays at each decisive moment in his life. Jesus seeks a secluded place for a one-to-one conversation with the Father. Jesus lives in an exceptional intimacy with someone whom he calls “My Father”. It is not an accident that the first sentence he utters when he is twelve-year old in the temple speaks about his “Father” (Lk 2:49). His final word when he is about to die on the cross is addressed to his “Father” (Lk 23:46).

While he was  praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white (Lk 9:28-29). It is not uncommon to notice the faces of some persons when they are in deep prayer, in touch with God, caught up as it were in an interior radiance. Clearly, there is something unusual piercing through their countenance during this grace-filled moment. The “dazzling white clothing” is part of the vision of heavens (Daniel 7:9). The first Christians apply it to the risen Jesus (Rev 1:13; Lk 17:13; 24:4). During the celebration of sacraments there is the white robe at the baptism of little children, the white bridal gown during wedding, and the white alb worn by priests during Mass.

The sleeping trio must have regret at having missed part of this unique experience. But awakening, they saw his glory and likewise saw the two men who were standing with him (Lk 9:32b). Moses and Elijah, two of the greatest figures of salvation history, were both persecuted. Together with Jesus, they are in conversation about the “passage” that Jesus is to undergo in Jerusalem. As Israel passed through the Red Sea and out of the land of exile, so Jesus will pass though death and into glory.

The response of the three disciples is not what we might expect. Peter is fumbling, trying to penetrate the mystery. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him” (Lk 9:31). The voice that speaks from the cloud echoes the words at Jesus’ baptism, pointing out Jesus’ role as son and servant. 

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Order:  In the New Testament, the Spirit’s action is shown first in Jesus’ own prayer, then in the prayer of his disciples. Jesus, “full of the Holy Spirit” (Lk 4:1) prays before every major act of his public life: for example, at his Baptism (cf. Lk 3:21), through his forty days in the desert, before choosing his apostles (cf. Lk 6:12), at his Transfiguration (Lk 9:29), during his Passion (cf. Lk 22:42) and on the Cross (cf. Lk 23: 34,46). 

At the Last Supper, in his great “Priestly Prayer” (cf. Jn 17) Christ prayed that his redemptive work be brought to fulfillment, and that its fruits be shared by the apostles and all those who would believe in him through their word (cf. Jn 17:20). Finally, on the Cross Jesus breathed forth his last prayer, giving over his Spirit to us as he had promised (cf. Mt 27:50; Jn 19:30; CCC 2599-2606). (Catechism for Filipino Catholics, no. 1482)

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Realities:   A true story: Jim Johnson was given the job of saving a failing hotel. Others had tried, but all had failed. Jim decided to try something different.

He did all that was needed, from a materialistic and economic point of view, to make it possible for the hotel to function – but he added one extra ingredient. Every night he drove to a hill overlooking the hotel and there he prayed for one hour for God’s blessing on his work in the hotel. He prayed for the staff and for the guests. He put the whole project in God’s hands. At such times, he brought to God in prayer every decision he had to make. He talked to God about every aspect of running the hotel. In time, he came to think of God as the manager of the hotel, and he was just there to do God’s bidding.

Very soon the situation at the hotel began to improve. There was a much more personal investment of time and interest on the part of the staff. The atmosphere became much more welcoming. The guests were really impressed, and this spread by word of mouth, and soon the hotel was doing a thriving business.  And all because one man brought the situation to God, day after day. (Jack McArdle, The Power of Prayer) 

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Direction:   FATHER, in your goodness grant me the intellect to comprehend you, the perception to discern you, and the reason to appreciate you. In your kindness endow me with the diligence to look for you, the wisdom to discover you, and the spirit to apprehend you. In your graciousness bestow on me a heart to contemplate you, ears to hear you, eyes to see you, and a tongue to speak of you. In your mercy confer on me a conversation pleasing to you, the patience to wait for you, and the perseverance to long for you. Grant me a perfect end— your holy presence.

(Prayer for the Gifts to Seek God and Live in Him, St. Benedict of Nursia <480-547>,  monk and founder of Benedictines)