Franciscan Friar Fr. Paul Gallagher reflects on the Gospel readings for the Second Sunday of Lent during this Holy Year. Has anyone ever taken you with them when they were going to “really pray?” What was that like for you?
The content is edited by Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Anne Marie Lom and Joe Thiel. The excerpts from the Sunday readings are prepared by Joe Thiel. To read or download the complete pdf with excerpts for your prayer, please click here: Franciscan Sisters Gospel Reflection March 16 2025. Excerpts are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Photo: [[File:Alexandr Ivanov 015.jpg|Transfiguration by Alexandr Ivanov, 1824]}
Photo: Holy Name of Jesus Discalced Carmelite Nuns Monastery in Denmark, WI. Read more about the Nuns praying for the world in the Diocese of Green Bay not far from the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion.
Luke 9:28b-36
Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.
Background:
In Luke, Jesus calls Peter as he is fishing at the beginning of the fifth chapter. Luke then records the cleansing of a leper and the healing of a paralytic. Luke then tells of Jesus’ call of Levi the tax collector. While Luke mentions the disciples of Jesus, he does not describe how or when they became disciples. But they are present when Jesus debates with the Pharisees, about fasting and about the nature of the Sabbath. As part of the sixth chapter of the Gospel Luke tells his reader that Jesus has gone up a mountain to pray, and when he comes down he appoints twelve from among the disciples to be apostles. Luke also tells of a great multitude coming to hear Jesus preach. Luke then records the sermon on the plain that begins with Jesus proclaiming blessed those who most would have considered unfortunate, and woes to those most would have considered blessed. In the seventh chapter Luke tells of the healing of a slave belonging to a Centurion, and the raising of the son of a widow as he is being carried out for burial. Luke also records the fate of John the Baptist in chapter seven. In chapter eight Jesus also teaches in parables, encounters members of his family, and performs the calming of the sea, healing of the demoniac, and healings of Jairus’ daughter and the woman troubled with hemorrhages. In the ninth chapter Luke describes the feeding of five thousand with five loaves and two fish. The disciples are presumed to be present with Jesus during these events, or at least heard them being discussed, probably at length, if they were not present. In some ways these events lay the foundation to prepare for the transfiguration. But in some ways, there was no adequate preparation for what Peter, James, and John experienced, or even for Jesus himself.
Luke places his account of the Transfiguration just after Jesus’ first prediction of his future rejection by the elders, scribes, and chief priests (Luke 9:22). Jesus then tells the disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me…” (Luke 9:23). Luke states that it was about eight days after Jesus had given this teaching that he took Peter, John, and James up the mountain where the transfiguration took place.
The actual transfiguration takes place while the disciples are “overcome by sleep.” The event as described by Luke has two distinct parts. The first is a description of the transfiguration of Jesus. The text states that Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain to pray. Neither Matthew (Matthew 17:1-8) nor Mark (Mark 9:2-8) mention that Jesus is going up the mountain to pray. Luke relates this to his community as an experience of Jesus in prayer. During the transfiguration it is Jesus who is changed, interiorly and exteriorly. The text states that his face was changed, and his clothing became dazzling white. But this prayer experience does not include Peter, James, and John. Verse 32 states that they were overcome by sleep.
The second part of the description includes the disciples, but now they are referred to as Peter and his companions. Peter recognizes the unique blessing of the experience and suggests that they build tents so that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah can stay, and the experience can continue. Peter is misunderstanding what is taking place. A cloud shrouds them in darkness in God’s presence, and God states clearly that Jesus is God’s Son. Then when the cloud lifts, Jesus is standing there alone. Jesus is not a prophet like Moses and Elijah, but he alone is God’s Son.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you have a place or way of praying when you really want to invite God’s presence?
- Has anyone ever taken you with them when they were going to “really pray?” What was that like for you?
- Can you imagine Peter, James, and John following Jesus up the mountain to pray? What do you think they talked about, or were they mostly thinking and wondering?
- If you were among them, what would have been some of the things on your mind? What kind of feelings might you have experienced?
- What experience have you had that helps you appreciate how the disciples were feeling during this encounter?
- How do you relate to Peter, James, and John coming down the mountain with Jesus that day? What kind of thoughts do you think they might have had as they came down the mountain that day with Jesus?
- Why do you think the Church has chosen to give us this Gospel text for our reflection as we begin the second week of Lent?
- Can you take some time to talk with God honestly about your experience of God’s presence in your own journey or this Lent, or some other memories or feelings that arose within you from this Gospel?
