Today is the Second Sunday of Lent.
We woke up Saturday morning to news of a joint US-Israel attack on Iran. This is timely given that we just discussed the Ten Commandments, including the Commandment not to kill, in OCIA. During that discussion we referenced something in Catholic teaching called Just War Theory. I thought you might like to read more about that: https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/that-evil-will-not-prevail-a-primer-on-catholic-just-war-doctrine/
On this second Sunday of Lent we always hear the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Matthew’s version is interesting because it includes the detail about Peter, who has just declared Jesus as the Christ in the preceding chapter, decides he should erect tents for Jesus, Elijah, and Moses ostensibly so they can remain together. As usual, Peter doesn’t think before he speaks. They also hear the voice of God coming from the Holy Cloud telling them who Jesus is.
It’s this identity of Jesus that I think is the point. Peter seems to want to stay in the moment, frightening as it must have been, but Jesus knows He has a job to do, a mission, and that requires Him to go back into the world below the mountain. I think there’s a message here for us too. That is, once we understand our mission we need to engage and get with it, not remove ourselves from the world. I realize there are some people who are called to live apart from the world. That is actually their mission. For most of us our mission in in the world. We’re called to become holy, and lead others to holiness, within the world, warts and all.
Once we know who Jesus really is it’s time for us to do His work and help make Him present for others and to bring others to Him.
During this Lenten season it would be good to consider how we’re doing at our mission and how we might make Christ a more central part of it. After all, He is the vine and we are the branches. To bear good fruit we have to remain connected to Him. It’s never about us. It’s always about Him.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading.
I hope you’ll join me in praying for our country, our military people who are in harm’s way, and the innocent civilians who are in harm’s way.
Peace, Bob
This and That BLOG 