It Is Good For Us To Be Here
Second Sunday of Lent (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 9: 2-10 - Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what rising from the dead meant.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Rabbi, it is good for us to be here.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Transfiguration takes place at a very important point in the Ministry of Christ, and the two apostles who choose to tell of the Transfiguration in their Gospels (Matthew and Mark) both write clearly about this point. Jesus has just begun to tell His apostles explicitly, and repeatedly, that He is going to die a terrible death, and then rise again. The glory, wonder, and power of the Transfiguration is meant to bolster their faith before they encounter great suffering. It is so important for us to understand: God gives us grace when we need it.
Our fears for the future are really groundless! We can imagine many terrible outcomes when we see hard times approaching, but all of the outcomes we imagine cannot possibly take place—only one of them. And then, only maybe. We become anxious and afraid about many things that won’t even end up happening! Alternatively, we often imagine all the terrible aspects of an approaching situation all at once… But even if these struggles do come, they won’t all take place at once—only little part by little part, day by day. So, we fear an intensity of pain that won’t ever occur! But most foolishly, we imagine terrible things ahead of us without placing God in the picture. And that is the most devastating mistake of all. To view the future without God is a ridiculous illusion. We will never, never, never encounter a difficult situation where God will not be with us! God will be there, and God will be more powerful than whatever suffering we face. So, much of our fear makes no sense. The only thing that does make sense is to live in the present moment, because that is where God meets us and gives us His grace.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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