Preparing for next week - Second Sunday of Lent A
Matthew 17: 1-9 His face shone like the sun
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John
and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone.
There in their presence he was transfigured:
his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light.
Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him.
Then Peter spoke to Jesus.
‘Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here;
if you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’
He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow,
and from the cloud there came a voice which said,
‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’
When they heard this the disciples fell on their faces overcome with fear.
But Jesus came up and touched them.
‘Stand up,’ he said ‘do not be afraid.’
And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus.
As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order,
‘Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.
This is the gospel of the Lord.
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Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.
Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved
Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)
Peter, James and John: privileged to see the divinity shining out of Jesus;
and to witness a man sweating blood with the thought of what lay ahead of him.
We experience a little of that "faith in/fear of" in our personal lives too.
- Recall a time when you experienced a change in your faith - or your fear -
in relation to your beliefs and values. - What difference does your faith in Jesus Christ make in your life?*
* All second questions © The Pastoral Center