For the Second Sunday of Lent…
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.
Luke 9:28b-29
Jesus gathers his inner circle and brings them up the mountain to pray. Many important moments in the life of Jesus, and the life of the Apostles, happened in the context of prayer. It’s an important watchword for us: Prayer is central to the life of Christ. Therefore, it is a way for us, too. In prayer, we are open to encountering God. A dedicated life of prayer leads to experiencing and seeing what God is doing.
When the dazzling moments of the Transfiguration end, Jesus is alone again with the three. He asks them not to reveal this to anyone. It is, again, a time for prayer: to deeply consider the voice of the Father, and the appearances of Moses and Elijah revealing Jesus as the Son of God. The time for such announcements will come. But it seems to me that Jesus is teaching his followers how to be prayed up—to be strong witnesses of his message by taking good notes in prayer.
Am I prayed up? Have I made daily prayer a commitment in my life?
This is week two of Lent. If we need to, we can recommit and rechart a course for the rest of Lent.
Lord, help me to tame my calendar to spend more “mountain time” with you every day.
