WK-2! LOOKING FOR SIGNS OF HOPE DURING THIS LENTEN SEASON

Prof./Evangel. Michael Howard, MACS

The Second Sunday of Lent

"Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." But he did not know what he was saying." (Lk. 9:28-36)

Pope Francis said, "Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring. Even so, uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt. Often, we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness. For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. God's word helps us find reasons for that hope." (Article 1)

Our gospel reading this Second Sunday of Lent focuses on the Transfiguration. Each time I read this passage, contemplating Peter's words, I am drawn to a deeper understanding of this spiritual moment. His excitement about experiencing such a transcendent event was purely about living in that moment. Peter wanted nothing more than to revel in the experience. In some ways, his suggestion to build three tents for a kind of Holy Ghost party can come across as pessimistic and cynical, as if he believed nothing else could bring him greater happiness. This raises a question: how long were these holy men meant to stay on the mountain? Perhaps this is why Luke mentions, "But he did not know what he was saying."  

Underline the following words in Pope Francis's opening quote: "hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring."  

Peter was feeling incredibly happy on the mountain. He thought nothing could bring him more joy than seeing Moses and Elijah and then witnessing Jesus' "face change in appearance, and his clothing become dazzling white" (Lk. 9:29). However, Peter could not understand that the best was yet to come. He didn’t know what was about to happen next. Luke captured this moment perfectly by saying, "he did not know what he was saying" (Lk. 9:33). 

Something was about to change Peter's life and the disciples' lives on this mountain. Luke said, “While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then, from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my chosen Son; listen to him" (Lk. 9:34). Hearing a voice from a cloud would shake anyone. But this is not a human voice; they heard God's thunderous voice, first affirming who Jesus is and telling everyone to listen to him. Jesus is our hope!

Therefore, as Pope Francis stated, "For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. God's word helps us find reasons for that hope." When we listen to Jesus, we do find reasons for hope because of the prophet Isaiah, "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace" (Is. 9:5). 

Our government is on Jesus' shoulders. We call Him Wonder Counselor because he holds our future, "do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you" (Mt. 10:19-20). We call Him God-Hero because it says, "Not by might, and not by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts" (Zec. 4:6). He is our Father-Forever because he is "The author of life..." (Acts 3:15). He is the Prince of Peace when we listen to him.  

" If we really wish to prepare a path to peace in our world, let us commit ourselves to remedying the remote causes of injustice, settling unjust and unpayable debts, and feeding the hungry." (Article 16)

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