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Second Sunday of Lent, March 1, 2026 Monsignor Greg

Immediately before this experience of the Transfiguration on the mountain by Peter, James, and John, they had heard Jesus say some confusing things. Firstly, He asked the disciples, “who do people say that I am?” They basically tell Him that it is varied among the peoples; “John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets.” . Secondly, Jesus tells them that He has to go to Jerusalem to suffer and die; and Peter protests strongly! Whereby Jesus rebukes him. Thirdly, Jesus says that they must take up their cross if they wish to be His disciples.”
Human nature being what it is, I imagine that the three have been discussing what Jesus meant by all these sayings, while they were climbing up that mountain. They won’t find out exactly what He meant until after the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; and so they remain confused.
The confusion intensifies when they hear a voice from the heavens says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” That voice was also heard at the baptism of Jesus in the Joran River, with a similar message.
“Listen to Him!” “Listen to my Son!” “Listen to Jesus!” That message needs to be heard by all of us this weekend and through the remaining days of our Lenten Season. “Listen to Jesus!” Because what He said to the apostles about suffering and carrying their cross, is also meant for you and me. It is not the kind of message we are all too excited to hear. And yet carrying the cross is part of the Christian journey, every bit as much as “listening” to Jesus. And even if we didn’t have a cross to carry in life, Jesus still says some things to us that are difficult to put into practice. Here are some examples:
“love your enemies,” “forgive seventy times seven times,” “turn the other cheek,” “go and sell everything you have and give to the poor,” “pray for those who persecute you,” “do good to those who hurt you,” “if you have two coats, give one to your brother who has none,” etc., etc.
We also need to hear the voice in today’s gospel story speaking to us throughout our present faith journey ….especially since we are baptized into Jesus Christ. “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him!”

-Msgr. Greg