Gospel – Luke 9:28b-36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James

and went up the mountain to pray.

While he was praying his face changed in appearance

and his clothing became dazzling white.

And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,

who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,

but becoming fully awake,

they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.

As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus,

“Master, it is good that we are here;

let us make three tents,

one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

But he did not know what he was saying.

While he was still speaking,

a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,

and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.

Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”

After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.

They fell silent and did not at that time

tell anyone what they had seen.

Reflection by Robert Hazard, FSC

As we make our journey through Lent we come upon this Gospel: Luke 9:28 – 36 where Jesus, Peter, John and James go up the mountain. And as we journey through Lent we learn that the Brothers had wanted to have the 46th General Chapter in a place faraway from Rome. And as we make this Lenten Retreat we ask ourselves where we are on our journey through life.

Jesus, Peter, John and James went to the mountain to pray. They saw him transfigured and he spoke with Moses and Elijah. The Brothers who were planning the 46th General Chapter wanted to have the Chapter in Thailand instead of Rome. Unfortunately, for reasons related to Covid, they were not able to have it in Thailand, it will be in Rome after all. Perhaps we would wonder about why the Brothers wanted to have the 46th General Chapter in Thailand.

While still on the mountain Peter said to Jesus: “Master, it is well for us to be here.” The Brothers who wanted the 46th General Chapter in Thailand wanted it there because they wanted a new location and a new environment in which to renew their hearts and minds and discern a new way forward. Let us, as we continue in this Lenten Retreat, join with the Brothers all over the world as they pray every week these words in preparation for the Chapter: “…our hearts are filled with reasons to hope, because of our desire to commit the Institute to following new paths to transform lives…With your grace we will have the strength and courage to move to the peripheries and release our creative energies….we want to work in the spirit of the gospel to change our way of viewing the world, to take care of our common home…”

As we continue on this Lenten Retreat can we say with Peter: “…it is well for us to be here?” As we look forward to the future as Brothers of the 46th General Chapter will do, can we think about how to prepare for Communities of young and old? Can we pray that the young and the old will try to find ways to understand each other and be patient with each other? Are we ready and willing to try and truly meet the needs of those on the periphery? Let us pray for the wisdom and courage needed to face the challenges that lie ahead.