The Spirit, the voice of God!
The second Sunday of Lent invites us to reflect on our spiritual journey,
guided by the Spirit, the breath and voice of God. In the first reading from the
book of Genesis, God told Abram “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and
from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.” Just as God instructed
Abram to leave his comfort zone and explore the unknown, so too does God
encourage us to move forward and follow His call Have we, in our hearts,
responded to God’s gentle call amid our busy lives?
Although we may not hear God’s voice directly, it echoes in the words of those
led by the Spirit, such as our holy Father, Pope Leo, and our new shepherd,
Bishop Manuel de Jesus Rodriguez. We also find this divine guidance in the
inspiring homilies of Father Larry Richards, which we heard at our recent Lenten
Mission as well as in the wisdom of our parish priests. We are also reminded that
God speaks through the devoted individuals around us. Their messages are
instruments through which we can discern God’s calling in our own lives.
Last week we reflected on Jesus’ time in the desert, where He faced
temptations from the devil – a powerful reminder of the challenges we all
encounter in our lives. Today’s gospel shifts the focus as Jesus takes Peter,
James, and John up a mountain for a moment of closeness and revelation.
There, Jesus is transfigured; His face shines like the sun, and His clothes sparkle
with divine light. Moses and Elijah appear and speak with Jesus. Overwhelmed,
Peter exclaims, “Lord, it is good that we are here.” Lent offers a sacred
opportunity for solitude and prayer, allowing us not only to seek but also to truly
hear God’s voice. Just as Peter, James, and John listened to the Father’s voice,
we are invited to do the same: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased; listen to Him.” In a world full of distractions, it is vital to remain
connected to these divine messages, focusing on love and forgiveness, the core
of Jesus’ ministry.
This year marks the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s passing into eternal
life. His life shows how we can reflect God’s voice in our actions. St. Francis’s
prayer resonates with our quest for peace and harmony: “Lord, make me an
instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love.” Therefore, let
us use this Lenten season to turn every moment of our lives into a mountaintop.
May every encounter becomes an opportunity to share God’s love. By supporting
one another on our journey, we can create an environment where everyone
around us hears and feels God’s presence. Together, let’s answer God’s call to
be His voice and an instrument of hope, peace, and love in our communities
Rev. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor