Second Sunday of Lent, 2023
Sr. Sandra Brunenn, OSB
In the past week I have been watching closely our witchhazel bush and the evolution of its buds. The bush is in our yard in the open space between the monastery and the pond. It can be easily seen from the windows in health care. The witchhazel has an unusual characteristic: it blooms in the winter; right now it is in bloom. The ‘flowers’ are orange-colored, tiny, and almost fluttery in appearance. They seem to hold a promise that Spring will come, a beautiful symbol of hope and life in the greyness of winter.
I believe that the encouragement the witchhazel provides for me is akin to how the experience of this Sunday’s Gospel story effects Jesus and his disciples. The Gospel takes place right after Jesus predicts his Passion for the first time. He tells his followers that to be his disciple they must be willing to take up the cross and follow him. Certainly a sobering message! They surely could use some encouragement!
Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a high mountain by themselves and is transfigured before them. It is as if the radiance and power of God’s presence within him shines forth both for Jesus and for his companions. A voice from a cloud overshadowing them proclaims the words that Jesus first heard at his Baptism: “This is my Beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” And then, the voice adds: “Listen to him.” Peter, James, and John are filled with fear; Jesus reaches out, touches them, and reassures them with the words ‘do not be afraid’. In spite of the fear they want to stay and dwell in this intimate experience; but that is not to be. They return down the mountain… with a new sense of openness, trust, and readiness to bear the cross that is coming.
The Church give us this Gospel of the Transfiguration every year on the second Sunday of Lent. We are reminded of the glory awaiting Jesus….and of our call to listen to him. (Notice at Mass tomorrow how the opening prayer reinforces this focus on listening...) As we listen to him we, too, discover that he is with us, taking away fear, and strengthening us to bear our burdens with patience and hope.
We know his call to Listen is echoed by Benedict in the beginning of the Rule. He calls the monks to ‘open the ears of their hearts’ in listening. We listen to Jesus in our lectio and in our everyday life experience, in the little tugs of heart that deepen our awareness of ways to respond as he would. Hopefully as we act with compassion we ourselves are gradually transformed, becoming beacons of light bearing hope and love.
May our Lenten encounter with the Word of God, our listening to Him, enable us to bear our crosses united with Jesus and the promise of Resurrection. And may it stir within us a deepened commitment to be instruments of God’s love. Then we, akin to the tiny flowers on the witchhazel bush, become reflections of God’s glory and instruments of God’s presence and love in our broken world.
To close, I share with you this Prayer for the Journey which Sr. Margaret Murphy wrote several years ago. I believe it reflects well the spirit of this week-end’s liturgy as well as her heart’s deepest desires.
Open the eyes of our spirit
To see you in each person,
in all people and creation.
Sustain us in our effort to be open
To the changes in the world at this time,
Open and responsive to changing needs.
Open the ears of our hearts
To receive your words, filled with hope.
Open our lips to speak your words
To speak in love to each other and to all.
Open our hands, our whole beings
To use the gifts given us to serve
As you served,
To let You act through us
To feed, heal, forgive, reconcile,
To make your gospel believable.
Let us radiate trust, love and gratitude!
AMEN.