This is my Son, the Beloved

 Second Sunday of Lent Year B - 28th February 2021

Gospel Mark 9: 2–10

Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Rabbi’, he said, ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say; they were so frightened. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’ Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them any more but only Jesus.

As they came down the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They observed the warning faithfully, though among themselves they discussed what ‘rising from the dead’ could mean.

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

As I come to spend some  me with the Lord, I gather my thoughts.

This is the Second Sunday of Lent, which always tells of Jesus’s transfiguration. What comes to my mind? Perhaps I remember other years when I’ve read this text, and I recall what I experienced then.

But today I try to read the text as if it is new to me. I stay with whatever draws me.

Jesus and the disciples go to a high mountain to be by themselves. Where do I go when I want to be alone? Perhaps I imagine Jesus and his friends going there with me too.

I try to imagine us settling together and an easy conversation starting. What happens next? What is it like?

How do I react? How do I feel?

‘You are my Son, the Beloved, listen to me’. A beloved child ...? Me ...?

I turn to the Lord and ask him to help me understand what has just taken place. I listen and trust him.

Eventually, we come home. I let Jesus and his friends go, thanking them for having been with me. Like the disciples, I may want to speak with others and discuss what it all means, but for now I go ‘In the name of the Father ...’

‘The time has come’

 First Sunday of Lent Year B - 21st February 2021

Gospel Mark 1: 12–15

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness and he remained there for forty days, and was tempted by Satan. He was with the wild beasts, and the angels looked after him.

After John had been arrested Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’, he said, ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent and believe the Good News.’

Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

As I begin my prayer, I relax my body and clear my mind so as to be fully present to my God. I put aside my concerns for this moment, breathing in God’s love and goodness. I know he loves me just as I am, and I may ask for the grace to respond.

When I am ready, I take up the Gospel passage and read it slowly. I then read the first paragraph again. I imagine Jesus, immediately following his baptism by John, inspired by the Spirit as he goes out into the wilderness.

Jesus is ‘driven’ by the Spirit. What is this force?

He goes out into solitude, into silence. Why?

I may wish to consider the importance of the Spirit and the role of silence in my own life.

God keeps Jesus safe – the angels look after him. Yet he is tempted by Satan and surrounded by wild beasts.

As his disciple, I will not be protected from fear and temptation.

How can I remain trusting and faithful in these times?

At his baptism, the Father spoke to Jesus: ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you’. Can I hear these same words spoken to me too, as God’s beloved child?

It is after this time of testing, of clarification, that Jesus begins his ministry. As I begin this season of Lent, I may pray to the Spirit that it be a time of revelation for me, my community, my world ...

What is my desire for this time?

I speak to the Lord, I listen to him.

I end my prayer in thanksgiving, 'Glory be ...’

Click here to read or listen to a one-minute homily on this Sunday's readings!

‘Of course I want to!'

 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B - 14th February 2021

Gospel Mark 1: 40–45

A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to,’ he said, ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.

Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

I come into the presence of the Lord attentively, deliberately, meaningfully. Like the leper, I might be coming with a purpose, maybe even with a sense of urgency. Therefore, if I can, it may help to approach, like him, on my knees.

However I draw near, I could ponder the reason for my prayer.

Am I coming to praise, to ask, to plead or, perhaps, simply to be with?

As I read and reflect upon the Gospel, to where am I finding myself drawn?

What am I noticing about the leper and about Jesus’s response to him?

Jesus is not afraid to violate the law as he reaches out to touch the man. And the miracle of his touch reveals something about what Jesus considers ‘clean’ and ‘unclean.’

What does Jesus’s acceptance of the leper teach me? And, as I reflect on my life, what does Jesus’s acceptance of me tell me about myself?

The man then goes off to tell everyone about his story – he cannot contain himself. In what ways do I share his enthusiasm to make known God’s goodness in my own story?

I end my prayer by asking for the grace always to try to reach out to those whom society cuts off, and I pray for a spirit of compassion.

Our Father ...

Click here to read or listen to a one-minute homily on this Sunday's readings!

'That is why I came'

 Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B - 7th February 2021

Gospel Mark 1: 29–39

On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straight away. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them.

That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.

In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.

Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

In the same way that Jesus would go off to a lonely place to pray, I go to my own place of prayer, and in the silence of my inner being I bring myself into the presence of our loving God. It may help to focus on a candle or holy image, or perhaps I simply follow the movement of my breath within me.

When I feel ready, I read the Gospel passage slowly. What am I drawn to after my first reading?

Reading the Gospel as many times as I need, I use my imagination to try to enter more deeply into the events unfolding in Galilee. I may choose to be a disciple ... or someone in desperate need of healing.

What would it be like to receive the compassion of Jesus so directly?

Can I imagine how Jesus himself might have been feeling among so many people in need of his healing presence?

What do I see in Jesus as he goes off to pray alone?

I share with him all that has come up in my prayer, and listen to his wisdom. I bring my prayer to a close making a slow sign of the cross.

Click here to read or listen to a one-minute homily on this Sunday's readings!