Collect Series
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COLLECT
SERIES
COLLECT
The Collect for the Second Sunday of Lent reads as follows:
O God
who have commanded us to listen to Your beloved Son,
Be
pleased we pray, to nourish us inwardly by Your word,
That
with spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice to behold Your glory.
Through
our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who
lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One
God, for ever and ever.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
In making this prayer more
tangible for during the week, the following reflection questions emerged.
1.
What does it mean to hear and what does it mean
to listen?
2.
Am I following the command to listen to Jesus-
the beloved Son?
3.
What excuses/obstacles do I make/are in the way
of spending time to listen to Jesus?
4.
How do I study and pray God’s word?
5.
How will I listen/prayer and study God’s word
this coming week?
6.
What are the sins/obstacles and problems in my
life hindering my spiritual sight? What
will I do about at least one of these sins/obstacles/problems this coming week?
Entering The Week
·
What has begun to
surface in me during this Lenten journey so far?
·
Where am I finding it
easy to pray — and where am I encountering resistance or distraction
Matthew 17:1–9
Theme: “Listen to Him”.
Setting
the Scene
Midway
through the journey of Lent, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high
mountain. Away from the crowds and daily demands, something extraordinary
unfolds before them.
Jesus
is transfigured before their eyes. His face shines like the sun and His clothes
become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear beside Him, representing the Law
and the Prophets, now fulfilled in Christ. Overwhelmed by what they see, the
disciples wish to remain in this moment of glory.
Then
a cloud overshadows them, and a voice is heard: “This is my beloved Son,
with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” The moment is both radiant and
unsettling. As quickly as it comes, the vision passes, and Jesus leads them
back down the mountain.
Gospel
Reflection: Light Given for the Journey
The
Transfiguration is not an escape from the reality of suffering; it is a
preparation for it. Just before this Gospel, Jesus speaks openly about His
Passion. The light revealed on the mountain strengthens the disciples for what
lies ahead.
Lent
follows this same pattern. Moments of clarity, consolation, or peace are not
given so that we cling to them, but so that we may continue the journey with
trust. God offers light, not to remove the cross, but to help us carry it.
The
voice from the cloud does not say “understand everything” or “remain
here”, but “listen to Him.” Discipleship is rooted in attentiveness
— learning to listen to Jesus even when the path becomes difficult or unclear.
Personal
Reflection
This
Gospel invites us to reflect on the moments when God has revealed something of
Himself to us — moments of insight, joy, or reassurance. Like the disciples, we
may wish to stay in those moments and avoid returning to ordinary life.
Yet
Lent reminds us that faith is lived not on the mountain alone, but in daily
faithfulness. The memory of light sustains us when prayer feels dry or when the
journey becomes demanding.
As
Week 2 of Lent begins, this Gospel asks us a simple but profound question: Am
I listening to Jesus? Not only when His words are comforting, but when they
call me to trust, change, and deeper surrender.
Questions
for Reflection
·
What
moments of light or clarity have strengthened my faith?
·
Where
do I resist leaving the “mountaintop” behind?
·
What
does it mean for me to listen to Jesus in my daily life?
·
How
do I respond when faith requires trust rather than certainty?
·
What
might God be preparing me for through this Lenten journey?
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You reveal Your glory
not to overwhelm us,
but to strengthen us for the journey.
Help me to listen to You
in moments of light and in moments of shadow.
Give me the courage to walk forward in trust,
carrying Your word in my heart
as I continue this Lenten path.
Amen.
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