Transformation

The Second Sunday of Lent presents us with the Gospel story of the Transfiguration, when Jesus gave Peter, James and John a glimpse of his glorious self to strengthen their faith in preparation for the dark days of his passion and death. Our Lenten observances, we trust, are helping us transform our lives, albeit slowly, with the usual ups and downs, successes and failures, but in general, bringing us to a deeper love of Jesus and a deeper realization of his love for us, which we, in our preoccupation with "self" often forget. Holding a crucifix in our hands and looking at the wounds of Jesus, tying into the suffering of his passion as we pray, might help bring this realization into clearer focus. Love has an amazing healing and transforming power. More so when our prayer is an act of love. Praying over our blessings instead of our woes, also might have a transforming effect on us, as lost in our blessings, we forget that even had woes. As we hold to our self-imposed "sacrifices", prayers and almsgiving, we might make a special effort to remember the reason why we have chosen them, and thus keep them from becoming routine. They can be consious acts of love offered to our Beloved who so generously and completely offers his love to us. Another day is given to us; may it help us renew and transform ourselves into the likeness of Christ.
Bro. Rene