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| Gifts of the Spirit Shirts |
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| Confirmation Certificates |
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| Books for Small Christian Communities |
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| Books for Prayer and Spirituality |
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| The Our Father: Lent 2012 Retreat |
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"Journeying with Jesus:
A Lenten Retreat"
prepared by Women at the Well Ministry,
St. Paul, Minnesota,
Eleanor Lincoln, CSJ, and Catherine Litecky, CSJ
© copyright 2010
Sunday Readings for the 2nd Sunday of Lent
Genesis 15: 5-12, 17-18
Philippians 3: 17- 4: 1
Luke 9: 28-36
Week 2. Discipleship
"Reconcile us to you, O God, that we put on the holiness of Christ and give you glory. Help us to live the season as true disciples on our way to transformation and fullness of life. Grant this as we journey to you with Jesus, our brother. Amen."
This prayer can provide a focus for your Lenten journey with Jesus.
Look at this photo of a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Imagine yourself in the boat with Jesus and some of his
disciples. Maybe you don't think of yourself as a disciple, but you are if you profess to follow Jesus! Ask
yourself these questions:
* Do I believe in Jesus? Do I love Jesus?
* Do I help others, especially my family, to know Jesus and his love?
* Am I faithful to praying each day?
* Do I listen to or read God's word in the Bible?
If you answered "yes" to these questions, then you are a disciple of Jesus--whether or not you have ever described yourself as one.
As you know, all four gospels tell the story of Jesus and, of course, of his disciples. Last week we began the journey by reflecting on the journey theme in Luke's gospel and by going with Jesus on his journey to the desert. The message found in all of the gospels tells us what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Those who became disciples
* encountered Jesus,
* listened to him,
* observed his loving actions,
* remained with him and journeyed with him,
* helped to bring his love to others,
* witnessed to and proclaimed Jesus
A true disciple is someone completely open to Jesus' invitation. Such encounters happen to us each time we personally encounter Jesus in the gospel or in our daily life. We are all disciples of Jesus, first of all, by virtue of our encounter with the living Christ in baptism.
For each disciple in the gospel an encounter with Jesus of Nazareth was an unexpected and wonderful turning point. The key words for every disciple (both those who followed Jesus during his lifetime and those of us living today) are believing, loving, doing God's will.
During this week when you are reading scripture passages either in your Bible or the missalette, notice
what is happening with the disciples. How did they believe? How did they act? How did they love? Notice
their struggles. By reflecting on their stories you can grow more aware of how Jesus touches your life.
For the second Sunday of Lent Christians read Luke's version of the story of Jesus' Transfiguration (9:28-36). This gospel story of Jesus' transfiguration comes just before Luke's journey narrative. In last week's session you read about this journey which the disciples took with Jesus. As they traveled along the way, they learned about the cost of discipleship. But they also learned about the privileges of being Jesus' disciple.
It is possible today to go to the top of the mountain to which, according to common belief, Jesus takes three of his disciples. Mount Tabor rises up out of the Jezreel plain in Galilee. Going to the top for today's pilgrims and tourists involves a harrowing taxi ride around twenty-three hairpin turns. For Jesus and his privileged disciples it meant a breathless hike. (Someone has said jokingly that when Jesus chose just three of his disciples for the strenuous climb the others breathed a sigh of relief!)
Peter, James, and John experience a great privilege when Jesus takes them up the mountain to pray. As they watch, Jesus' face changes in appearance and his clothes become "dazzingly white." Then two men, Moses and Elijah (representing the Law and the Prophets of the Hebrew scriptures) appear to Jesus in his glory and converse with him.
As Moses and Elijah are about to leave, Peter says, "Master, how good it is for us to be here." He offers to make three tents or booths for them. Peter wants to make permanent this moment of transformation! Impetuous Peter, full of ideas, many of them not practical.
Even as Peter is speaking, a cloud shadows the brilliance of the sun and of the scene. It is only after the coming of the cloud that the disciples hear these words of revelation: "This is my Son, my Chosen One, listen to him." When the voice falls silent, Jesus is there alone. The disciples keep quiet, telling nothing of what they have seen at the time to any one. They have much more to learn and think about. This moment of glory is just a moment, but it has revealed to these faithful disciples another dimension of Jesus.
Jesus, always filled with the spirit of love, allows his disciples to see his radiance momentarily--to sustain them in the shocking passion and death to come. The sun breaking through the clouds in our lives can lift our spirits, often helping us overcome our doubts and discouragement. Such moments of glory can give us hope and help us to trust when things are difficult. We can all think of moments when light has brightened the darkness within us.
Remembering such moments of light in your life, ask yourself:
How am I aware of God's presence in my life at this moment?
How have moments of light in my life changed me?
Conclude this session by praying the responsorial psalm for this Second Sunday of Lent:
"The Lord is my light and my salvation:
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is my life's refuge:
of whom should I be afraid?"
"Journeying with Jesus: A Lenten Retreat" will continue with Week 3: Discipleship (continued)
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