Listen to Him

The Second Sunday of Lent

On the second Sunday of Lent the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration in the presence of Peter, John and James is read. We meditate this episode when praying the Rosary since it is the Fourth Mystery of Light, it celebrates the revelation of God’s divine presence. 

The account of Jesus’ transfiguration is also found in Matthew and Mark but is not mentioned in the Gospel of John. It occurs on a mountain traditionally thought to be Mount Tabor and occurs after Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah (verse 20) and Jesus’ prediction about his Passion (verse 22). We try and comprehend the episode with Jesus’ Paschal Mystery (Christ redeems us through his Passion, death, Resurrection and glorious Ascension) in mind.

Jesus takes three of his disciples with him on the mountain, Peter, John and James who almost fall asleep while Jesus prays and while his “face was changed, and his clothing became dazzling white.” When the disciples sense what is happening and are awakened, they see Jesus Transfigured and Elijah and Moses present. These two figures are important in the history of Israel and they represent Jesus’ continuity with the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). On seeing all this Peter offers to construct three tents for them. He wanted to prolong the glorious event by constructing booths or shelters for them to rest in. He calls Jesus “master”, following his previous confession that Jesus is the Messiah. Then, a voice from heaven speaks, affirming Jesus as God’s Son and commanding that the disciples listen to him. This voice from heaven recalls the voice that was heard at Jesus’ baptism, which in Luke’s Gospel, spoke directly to Jesus as God’s Son.

The Transfiguration is an anticipation of the glory of Jesus’ Resurrection. The disciples keep secret what they have seen and will only understand its importance after Jesus’ Passion and death. We hear this story of Jesus’ Transfiguration early in Lent, but we have the benefit of hindsight as we know what comes next. When we hear it we anticipate Jesus’ Resurrection but we also prepare ourselves for Jesus’ Passion and death. The voice from heaven in today’s Gospel speaks to the disciples saying “Listen to him.” Ask yourself how can I listen to Jesus? Lent is a good time “to listen” to God, how important is it for you to have quiet times of prayer and contemplation in your faith journey? Do you place any importance in finding the time each day to spend it with God? To be a disciple is to be transformed, maybe even transfigured by the light of God’s wisdom especially as we pray, read the sacred Scriptures and receive the gift of the Eucharist. As well as when we serve our neighbour and help the poor and the marginalized. Help me to recognise “Our, Lord is great” (Psalm 147:5).    

A reading from the Gospel of Luke (Lk 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. 

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why?
  3. Like Jesus in today’s Gospel sometimes we need to withdraw from the routine of our daily lives for prayer and contemplation. This week try to spend some time in the presence of Jesus with a visit to your Parish Adoration Chapel. 
  4. Think about all the things in your home which when switched on create noise and distraction such as televisions, radios video games, etc. Maybe as a family you can find time to switch them off and spend some time together in prayer. 
  5. Together with your family find the right time to read this Gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare;
    i. The Bible reading from St Luke (Lk 9: 28b-36)
    ii. A candle
    iii. Cover the table with a violet cloth
    iv. A computer/laptop with the readings and clips
  6. Go through the steps with your children (2 age groups are being suggested).
  7. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  8. Be creative 😊 

In today’s Gospel Jesus takes three of his disciples up a mountain where they see him shinning like the sun dazzling them, he was talking with Moses and Elijah regarding his journey to Jerusalem and his death. It’s called Transfiguration Sunday.

  • How the human Jesus is also fully divine (God)
  • A plain white A4 paper
  • Lemon juice
  • Cotton wool balls
  • An iron and ironing board (adult supervision)

One day Jesus went up a mountain with Peter, James and James’ brother, John. While they were on the mountain Jesus was transfigured. Transfigured is a big word which we don’t use very often, maybe you have never heard it before. Being transfigured means to change in appearance or shape, on the mountain Jesus shone and his clothes became dazzling white. The amazing thing about the Transfiguration of Jesus is that when he shone he was showing his glory to the disciples. He wasn’t changing whom he was. We believe that Jesus was both a real person, and also fully divine (God), but the people around him didn’t see that. They just saw him as a man.

When Jesus was transfigured, his clothes became bright white and his face shone like the sun. The disciples saw him talking with two men, Moses and Elijah who had died a long time ago. The disciples were amazed and confused. But then God spoke and said “This is my Son, the Beloved, with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” And they were afraid. If you had been on the mountain with the disciples how do you think you would have felt? Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.” God was showing the disciples who Jesus was. He is the Son of God and we shouldn’t be afraid because he is with us at all times. When we are afraid or alone and when we are happy and excited we should listen and learn about Jesus. Not only that, but we should tell others about how much Jesus loves them. 

To demonstrate to children how something can appear differently without really changing (as Jesus on the mountain), you can try this activity with lemon juice and a hot iron. 

Start by dipping some cotton wool in lemon juice and then write the words from today’s Gospel, “This is my Son. Listen to him!” on the plain blank white paper. Then let it dry. The words will be invisible when it dries, show this to the children. To reveal the words use an iron on a low setting and iron the paper. Make sure that children do not do this unattended as they may get hurt. The words will appear on the paper as you iron over them, it helps to iron both sides of the paper. This way the paper has revealed something without changing just like Jesus when he was transfigured!

Whilst doing this activity listen to the song; Grow, grow, grow.

Sign of the cross.

Dear God, sometimes it is hard to understand what is written in the Bible, especially what we read about Jesus’ Transfiguration. Help us to see your amazing power and glory so that we may know you and so that we can then tell others about Jesus. We pray this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Today we celebrate the second Sunday of Lent, it is called Transfiguration Sunday. Being transfigured means to change in appearance or shape, Jesus did this in front of Peter, John and his brother James, he shone like the sun and by doing this he showed them his divinity and glory.

  • Lent is a good time for us to grow closer to Jesus by listening and talking more to God through our prayers and reading the Bible
  • A Bible
  • Paper to write on and pencils/pen

In today’s Gospel, Jesus takes three of his disciples Peter, John and James up a mountain where they could be alone to pray in a quiet place. While Jesus was praying, his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly Moses and Elijah were there speaking with him. They appeared in heavenly glory and talked about what Jesus’ death in Jerusalem would mean. The disciples had almost fallen asleep. Yet, when the Transfiguration occurred, they were shaken and saw Jesus in all his glory. They also saw Moses and Elijah. A cloud passed over them and they heard a voice say, “This is my chosen Son. Listen to what he says.”    

Jesus often went off to a quiet place to pray to his Father, this time he took three of his friends with him but what did they do? They fell asleep and they almost missed seeing Jesus Transfigured (shining like the sun) which was a very special sight as it showed Jesus’ glory and divinity. They were able to see for themselves that Jesus really was the Son of God and the voice they heard confirmed this. 

Lent is a time for us to stay awake and listen. Sometimes we pray by talking to God, but we can also pray by listening and noticing the silence, resting quietly in the presence of God. When we stay quiet and think only about God, we notice that he is near us. Try it out, stay very quiet and still with no distractions around you and remember that God is with you. This is ‘mindfulness,’ when we focus our thoughts on God. We slow down and notice that Jesus loves us and he is always with us.

Another way of noticing Jesus is with us is to read the Bible. Two important figures from the Old Testament are mentioned in the Gospel, did you notice who? Moses and Elijah appeared beside Jesus on the mountain. If you are not sure who Moses or Elijah are then this week you could read about them in the Bible. Choose one of them and read the stories about them. We find stories about Moses in Exodus and stories about Elijah in 1 Kings 17-22 and 2 Kings 1-3. These stories will point out the importance of these men in the Bible. They will also point out the importance of their presence to Peter, John and James on the mountain. You may also draw a picture of one of the stories you have read and listen to the song; One Way Jesus.

Sign of the cross.

Jesus we know that you are with us always. Help us to slow down and be quiet so that we can notice your presence in our lives and listen to you. Amen

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How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.