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 ...’