The Second Sunday of lent                   Mt 17:1-9

If we look at the world around us, the wars, violence, abuse, hunger and suffering we can wonder why and what is the answer and how can these aberrations be addressed let alone solved so that all people are able to live peaceably without fear, it seems and is an overwhelming problem. We must look at ourselves and see what is in our hearts, what rules our lives. We all have our agendas, power, greed placing ourselves above others, use and abuse of especially the poor and suffering, the stranger, with racism becoming increasingly serious in our country. We forget how many people suffered and were murdered under Colonialism, how many suffered and died to make the British Empire, the USA and other European countries rich and so called great. We really have nothing to be proud of. These sins keep on happening viz, Sudan, Nigeria to mention a couple.

Jesus takes Peter, James and John and it is revealed to them who he really is and they are told to listen to him. Then Moses, the stutterer called in his 80s and Elijah, who hid in a cave appeared and conversed with him. We are not told what was said, that is not important. That they spoke with the Lord says it all. How comfortable we are talking with the Lord and listening to what he is saying to us. 

Most of us are not good listeners, which is not a passive but active attribute which requires interest in the person, being generous with one’s time. We all know how frustrating it is when we feel we are not being listened to or what we are saying seems unimportant to others, especially in old age when the young think that they know it all or are not interested.

Unfortunately, this can roll over into our relationship with the Lord especially if God does not respond the way we wish. Sometimes we try to manipulate God trying to make him in our own image. It does not work. Friendship is partly letting the other be the other. Friends do not always agree about many things but that should not affect the relationship. Just being with the other at times is all that is necessary.

As we try to address the problems in our world, let us pray that those who are in power and leadership will develop a listening heart, that they will enter conversations that will bring healing and peace respecting the dignity and worth of all. Wars and violence only breed more of the same.

The disciples did not stay on the mountain but after being told not to be afraid came down after experiencing that manifestation of Jesus to proclaim the Good News of God’s love for all.

We like Moses, Elijah and the other prophets are sent with that same mission to proclaim what it means to be friends of Jesus, his great desire for all, opening our hearts to the stranger, migrants and those without a country. We are all chosen to be prophets, to let our lives speak of God’s love for all.

Let us not hide in a cave or be limited by our stuttering but be strong in the Lord.

“This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, listen to him”               

Mt 17:5