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Message from the desk of the Pastor:

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

Sunday, March 1, 2026

Gospel Reading 

Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus is transfigured on the mountain in the presence of Peter, James, and John.

Background on the Gospel Reading

For the second Sunday of Lent, we move from Jesus’ retreat to the desert to his Transfiguration. Each year on the first Sunday of Lent, our Gospel tells the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. On the second Sunday of Lent each year, we hear  the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration.

The story of Jesus’ Transfiguration is told in the three Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In each of those Gospels, the Transfiguration follows Jesus’ first prediction of his death and his teaching about the costs of discipleship. Jesus’ Transfiguration is a promise of Jesus’ glory, his Resurrection.

On a mountain in today’s reading, a voice affirms that Jesus is God’s Son in words reminiscent of the voice at Jesus’ baptism. In addition, the appearance of Moses    and Elijah on the mountain connects this story with God’s relationship to the      people of Israel. Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets, respectively. Together with Jesus, they represent God’s complete Word.

The Transfiguration occurs in the presence of just three of Jesus’ disciples:          Peter, James, and John. In Matthew’s Gospel, those disciples are among the            first whom Jesus calls. The three men are identified as an “inner circle” among  Jesus’ disciples when Jesus asks them to accompany him to the Garden of Gethsemane just before his arrest.

Family Connection

As a family, talk about some of your times of highs and lows. How have you been able to use the good times and experiences to sustain you in the difficult ones? Jesus’ Transfiguration may have been an event from which Peter, James, and John drew courage when they faced the difficult events of Jesus’ Passion. Read together today’s Gospel, Matthew 17:1-9. Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the good times    and experiences that your family has had together. Pray that your family will use these experiences to sustain you during times of difficulty. Close by praying today’s psalm, Psalm 33.