Lenten Light II

This Second Sunday of Lent we read the intriguing gospel account of the Transfiguration of Jesus (Mark 9:2-10).

"Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant. "

Our Liturgy of the Hours prayers this week, Week II, offer us several opportunities for reflection on light.

Evening Prayer I: Antiphon
Jesus took Peter, James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain.
There he was transfigured before him.

Psalm-Prayer:
Let your Word, Father, be a lamp for our feet and a light to our path (Psalm119:105), so that we may understand what you wish to teach us and follow the path your light marks out for us.

Antiphon:
His face was radiant as the sun, and his clothing white as snow.

Office of Readings, Antiphon I:
Lord, our God, in splendor and majesty you are clothed, wrapped in light as in a robe (Psalm 104:1-2).

Morning Prayer: Psalm I
We bless you from the house of the Lord
the Lord God is our light. (Psalm 118:27)

And the (Alternative) Concluding Prayer:
Father of light,
in you is found no shadow of change,
but only the fullness of life and limitless truth.
Open our hearts to the voice of your Word
and free us from the original darkness that shadows our vision.
Restore our sight that we may look upon your Son
who calls us to repentence and a change of heart,
for he live and reigns with you for ever and ever.

Amen.

This week, let your LIGHT sparkle and shine!