Quiet confidence with God will be your strength.
Second Sunday of Lent – Mark 9:2
Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And He was transfigured before them – Mk 9:2.
Today’s Lenten Reflection
You may have experienced one of those rare moments when God’s light broke through the chaotic noise of life. But more than likely, those experiences have come when you have been somewhere quiet and still. It is no surprise that Jesus took the three apostles away from the busy-ness of life and up into a deserted mountain before He revealed the miracle of the Transfiguration. Do you think the three apostles would have been able to see (and understand) as clearly had they been amongst the loud noise and throngs of people demanding signs? Jesus knew that in order for Peter, James and John to really see Him for who He was, in all His glory, He had to bring them to a peaceful place; a place far from the world’s chaos where divine light could not only shine through … but receive the full attention it so rightfully deserved.
This is exactly how it is for all of us today. Unfortunately, we so often miss the beauty and miracle of God’s voice because we do not make a point of getting away from the noise of this world to focus on Jesus. Seeing and hearing from God requires solitude and silence – a place set apart just for you and Him. The great sixteenth-century mystic St. John of the Cross once wrote: “Silence is God’s first language…” and the late Trappist monk Thomas Keating added, “…everything else is a poor translation.” Ask yourself, what is getting in the way of you hearing God’s voice today?
Second Sunday Lenten Meditation
Find a place away from the noise today, whether that be completely alone or with one or two other people who are close to you spiritually, and just “be” in God’s presence. Visit an old historic Church during adoration hours, go out into nature with the Bible, or maybe find a quiet corner in your home where no one will bother you. While listening for His voice, quiet all distracting thoughts and focus intently on Christ. What matters most during a these times of solitude is, as St. Benedict wrote in the prologue to his famous Rule, that we listen with the “ear of our hearts.” It is there He will be and speak to us.
Lenten Prayer
Lord, You gave us Your only begotten Son so that we might have life and have it more to the full. We ask You for the grace to hear the words that He has already spoken and continues to speak to us. We pray also for the willingness to accept Your message – whatever that may be. While we listen for You, Lord, help us also to reflect upon Your infinite mercy and innumerable blessings. We desire more of You Lord, and we know that we will find what we seek in solitude. Help us to make this time of peace with You our number one priority. It is in Your good and holy Name we pray, Amen.
Today’s suggested Penance
Take extra time today to listen to someone that you would normally shrug off or pass by. Find Jesus in that person.
“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe” –St. Augustine.
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