Scripture Reflection, March 1, 2026, Second Sunday of Lent

Genesis 12:1-4a 2 Timothy 1:8b-10 Matthew 17:1-9

Ah, Peter. Man of action. You gotta love him! "How about if I walk on water to meet you?“ (glug, glug, sound of water splashing). “I’ll never deny you!” (sound of cock crowing). And today's gospel."How about if I build three tents here?“ And while he is still speaking… “A voice from the cloud” said “Listen!”

The church gives us a Transfiguration story every year on the Second Sunday of Lent. This year we hear from Matthew. Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a mountain and he is transfigured in their sight. His face shines like the sun and his clothes become white as light. Also appearing with him are Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets. An awesome sight! The kind of vision that would leave most people in stunned silence. But not Peter. He wants to spring into action and build a little tent village on top of the mountain for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. Instead, a voice says, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. “

Peter, James and John never expected their day to include this earth- shaking experience. And Abram in today's first reading never expected to hear God ask him to leave everything he knew and begin a journey to a new land. While it is unlikely any of us will have a vision, still it is certain that now and then we, too, will have an experience that shakes us to the core. The loss or change of employment, the death of a loved one, a medical diagnosis…can challenge everything we thought we knew. At those moments maybe we should learn from Peter. First… Listen. What does God want to say to us in that experience? What is God asking of us?

Even on our ordinary days full of ordinary events, what a wonderful practice it is, to end the day just… listening.

And with the Psalmist, pray…"Be still and know that I am God, “

by: Pat Schnee OPA