second Lent

The three “D” of the apostles and the forth “D” of our Lord Jesus Christ

Welcome everyone to celebrate the second Sunday of Lent. This holy season invites us to deepen our faith through the means of prayer, fasting and helping others. And in today’s gospel focuses on prayer namely how our Lord Jesus Christ with two of His disciples went up to a mountain to pray. While He was praying, His clothes became dazzling white and His face shone like the Sun. Yes, prayer has the power. Any one who dedicates himself to God and spends time in prayer will have the same experience of Christ our Lord. They will radiate light and energy. They will do greater things than others. They will perform and do miracles and wonders in the name of Christ our Lord.

Once a man was sitting in church for hours on end. One day a priest asked him what God talked to him about. The man said, “God does not talk but listens” well then what do you talk to him about? I do not talk either. I just listen.

They say there are four stages of prayer:

We talk God listens

God talks we listen

Both talk and both listen

And both do not talk and both do not listen: Silence.

The three “D” of the Apostles:

They are Distraction, Distance and Difficulty. Seeing Christ shining like the sun distracted the apostles. They were speechless and spellbound. They were looking at each other with fear and distraction. They did not know what to say. Then Simon Peter said to Christ, “ Let us make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Eliza”. Because of their distraction, they did not see the power of prayer. Jesus was spending time with His father and because of the power of prayer, His clothes became dazzling white and His face was shining like the Sun. And the power of His prayer attracted Moses and Eliza. While the glorious things were happening, the apostles were distracted.

Because of their distraction, the second “D” namely distance happened. Yes, they distant themselves from Jesus and God power.

There was once a woman who was religious and devout and filled with love for God. Every day she went to church and she never missed her prayers. Even on the way back home, she used to say her prayers and rosary. While she was walking back home, beggars used to ask her for help but she because of her devotion and prayers never paid any attention. One day as usual when she came to church early morning for Mass, she noticed the door was locked. She pushed and pushed, she could not open and she realized that she was going to be late for the service and then she looked up, there was a note saying, “I am out there living among the poor and the beggars’.

Because of their distraction they distant themselves from Christ and they forgot to see the glory of God in Him. Then the voice came and said, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased, listen to Him”.

And because of their distraction and distance, there came the third “D” called difficulty. Yes, they began to be afraid of what had happened. They are so disturbed and fearful. The Jesus our Lord said to them, “Rise… do not be afraid”

One day a grandmother asked her grandson, ‘do you say your prayers every night”

He said, ‘of course… one our father and five hail Mary”

Do you say your prayers in the day?

He then looked at his grandmother and said, “grandma… I am not scared in the day”

When we are away from God, even the day becomes darker. And that is why the disciples faced difficulty.

Then the Master brings the forth “D” called divinity.

Yes, He asks them to be with Him. He assures them that they will understand everything but they have to wait. When we are with God, we will understand our humanity namely we connect ourselves with divinity… our father.

Conclusion: this season of Lent invites us to know God through Lenten disciples and let us today mainly focus on prayers. Amen.