Throughout the Lenten season, we’ll be posting reflections for holy days and Sundays. These reflections are taken from this year’s Lenten reflection booklet, The Beauty We Must Hold Fast To: Reflections for Lent 2022, which includes all-new reflections written by former Pax Christi USA General Secretaries, National Coordinators and Executive Directors. Click here to see all reflections as they are posted as well as links to other Lenten resources on our Lent 2022 webpage.
If you are looking for a daily reflection booklet specially curated for Lent, you can still purchase and download this year’s e-booklet, The Beauty We Must Hold Fast To: Reflections for Lent 2022. Read more about the booklet at this link or click here to order and download now.
reflection for the SECOND sunday of lent, MARCH 13, 2022
by Dave Robinson
former Pax Christi USA Executive Director
Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 | Philippians 3:17-4:1 | Luke 9:28b-36
“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” (Lk 9:35)
The Transfiguration is a pivotal moment in the Lenten journey. Here Jesus’ divinity is announced by God, confirmed by the presence of Moses representing the Law and Elijah representing the Prophets and witnessed by Peter, John and James. The disciples reaction is—fear. At first when they see Jesus speaking with the two they appear to be excited and ready to “make three tents”, presumably to provide hospitality for the eminent men and perhaps even to celebrate their presence. But that excitement is short-lived as the cloud engulfs them and God speaks directly to the disciples: “This is my chosen Son; listen to Him.”
In the coming days Jesus will have a great deal to say. Whether we are willing to listen to him is the perennial question. As I reflect on this moment, I’m struck by two thoughts. First, the disciples’ initial reaction to God’s direct interaction with them is fear. How many times have we become fearful when confronted with the truth? How often have we been paralyzed, unable to act when action is required? And second, God commands them to “listen to Him.” As we move through the readings in the coming days Jesus is quite straightforward in what he has to say and it is not easy stuff to hear. In effect he is laying out a new paradigm and a call to a new way of being in relationship with God and with each other—one that runs counter to the dominant culture and political structures. Are we ready to hear him? Are we ready to listen?
FOR REFLECTION:
- What difficult things do you hear in the readings throughout Lent?
>> Join us on Monday, March 14, when Dave will join us to offer one of his reflections from the second week of Lent at the Pax Christi USA community’s weekly Lenten prayer service over Zoom. Click here for more information and to register.
ACTION: Fill out the form at the bottom of the Bread Not Stones 2022 statement page to get more information. Consider becoming a local organizer or promoter of the campaign.
>> Click here to see more resources for prayer, study and action this Lenten season.
Dave Robinson was the executive director of Pax Christi USA from 2001-11. Dave represented Pax Christi International at the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review and Extension Conference in 1995 as well as subsequent conferences until 2010. He has advised nongovernmental organizations on issues of nuclear disarmament and developed strategies for citizen engagement here and abroad. Dave serves as the Executive Director of the Union City Family Support Center.