On this the Second Sunday of Lent, we read of the Transfiguration, as Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up the mountain. In scriptural terms, our ancestors climbed mountains to encounter God. As they ascended, the veil of mystery split and clarity occurred. Each encounter resulted in a changed—transfigured—way of seeing, thinking, being. Peter, James, and John desperately needed a clearer view of Jesus’ identity and mission before His imminent suffering and death. As we see Jesus with greater clarity, the more we understand God, ourselves, and the world. It often takes a monumental event—birth, sickness, death—to jolt us out of our conventional, even muddied, ways of seeing and living. Moments of clarity reveal God—extreme beauty, goodness, and truth—through profound joy, loss, suffering, and even death. After my first ascent through labor, I gazed upon our newborn baby and could not believe how much I loved her. My thoughts turned to my own parents: Had they loved me this much? Of course, they had. And God: Yes, God loves us infinitely more, as He gave His only begotten Son for us. This moment of clarity, as a new mother, transfigured me. As a mom, I would love our children sacrificially. As a child of God, I am loved beyond measure. Lent offers mountaintop experiences through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. When climbing steep mountains and in need of clarity, “Listen to Him.” For God, “who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all,” is worthy of our extreme trust, and “will give us everything else along with Him.” Now, that’s good news! When have you “seen” God more clearly? Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay Naming Grace in the Domestic Church reflects on Scripture through the lens of a parent/grandparent. To read more about God's grace in everyday life or to connect with Mary: www.marypedersen.com. |
ReflectionsThe blog on this page presents reflections on the Sunday readings through the lens of a parent/grandparent, aiding leaders of the domestic church in their vital task as “first heralds” or “first preachers” of the Good News in the home. Archives
December 2021
|