READINGS FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR C, SUNDAY 16TH MARCH, 2025
First Reading: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Psalm: 26
Second Reading: Philippians 3:17- 4:1
Gospel: Luke 9:28-36
REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM.
LISTENING MORE DEEPLY
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today is the Second Sunday of Lent, Year C. In today’s liturgical celebration, we are invited to listen to Jesus more deeply. Listening to Jesus transforms our perception and understanding of the challenging realities of our time. Thursday 13th March was the anniversary of the election in 2013 of the Holy Father, Pope Francis as Supreme Pastor of the Church. As he marks the 12th anniversary of his election this year, we are urged to listen and to pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. We pray God to restore to good health, Pope Francis and all others who are experiencing health problems at home or in hospitals.
Our world today is full of challenges plagued by ill health, ecological crisis, terrorism and crisis of faith. Today, we face the crisis of people asking more questions than providing answers. We also face the challenge of people causing more problems in the process of solving challenging problems. In the midst of all these crises challenging us today, we ask ourselves some relevant questions: How do we listen to Jesus Christ? To what degree do we listen to one another? When we listen, do we pay attention to what we hear? When listening, how do we hear what others are saying? Do we strive to understand the meaning of what others say to us? How do we recognise the wisdom of eloquence in the silence of those who speak little?
Different people can generate different opinions to these questions. However, the truth remains that listening is a powerful virtue and is very important. Listening is also an act and a skill for resolving problems. It involves “affective, cognitive and behavioural processes.” These processes of listening include the motivation to listen to others. It also includes understanding and interpretation of the content of what we hear and how we respond to what we hear from others. Listening from the perspectives of the affective, cognitive and behavioural processes can change the way we see things and the way we think. These three complimentary processes of listening bring about a change of attitude and a transformation.
In line with this teaching on listening, the Transfiguration of the Lord as captured by the Gospel of Luke calls us to listen deeply to God’s voice. In this Gospel, the Father proclaims, “This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.” (Luke 9:28-36). This divine mandate resonates with the themes of faith, trust and transformation captured in today’s readings. The readings reveal the theological and psychological depth of listening as a path to encountering God. In God’s presence, we are transformed.
Our First Reading describes how Abram listened to God’s promise of descendants as numerous as the stars, despite his doubts. This act of trust, paired with God’s covenant teaches us that listening requires faith and surrender, even in uncertainty. (Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18).
In a similar manner, the Psalmist reflects a plea to remain steadfast in God’s presence. It reminds us that deep listening demands a pure heart and unwavering devotion. (Psalm 26).
St. Paul in today’s Second Reading exhorts us to focus on our heavenly citizenship. He says, “Our homeland is in heaven and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body.” St. Paul urges us to imitate his example by listening to the Gospel and living it out. This requires active attention to God’s Word. This enables us to strip away distractions and align our hearts with God’s will. (Philippians 3:17–4:1).
The need for us to listen to Jesus Christ is revealed in today’s Gospel: “Jesus took with him Peter, John and James and went up the mountain to pray.” As Jesus and his disciples were covered with the shadow of a cloud, a voice came down from the cloud saying, “This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.” In this Gospel, God has made known to us the identity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. He is beloved by the Father. God the Father commands us to listen to Jesus Christ because He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We need to listen to Jesus Christ and also listen to one another. (Luke 9:28-36).
It is correct to affirm that listening to Jesus Christ enhances our perception and motivation to listen to others. Listening from the perspective of Jesus Christ, improves our understanding and interpretation of the content of what we hear. It enhances how we respond to each other in love. Listening enhances a life of humility, obedience, forgiveness and generosity in us. It helps us to take the Word of God seriously and to do God’s will. Hence, the Transfiguration of our Lord exemplifies this transformative listening. The disciples had a glimpse of the divine nature of Jesus Christ. They had an experience that profoundly reshapes their understanding of the mission of Jesus Christ.
It is valid to say that listening to Jesus Christ transforms us. Listening to Jesus more deeply changes the way we see things and the way we think. It brings about a change of attitude. It enhances a life of faith in us. Listening to Jesus brings us closer to God. Listening to Jesus allows us to share in His death and resurrection. Jesus gives us strength and He transforms our lives.
To enhance our understanding of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection, we must listen to Him. Listening to Jesus makes us aware of His Divine mercy and glory. It also gives us a glimpse of the heavenly glory awaiting those who do God’s will. Our faith is transformed and strengthened when we listen to Jesus. Listening to Jesus strengthens us in our time of trial.
In our dark moments of despair, hopelessness, doubts, pains and suffering do we listen to God’s consoling words: “This is my beloved Son, Listen to Him.” We need to listen to Jesus Christ. This means that we need to be guided more deeply by the Word of God and the teachings of the Church. Through deep listening rooted in faith, trust and openness, we too, can encounter God’s transformative power.
The Season of Lent calls us to listen more deeply to Jesus who uncovers the mysteries around us. We have to transform our lives during this Lent by listening to God and to one another. During this Lent, we are called to renew our spiritual life. When our lives are Spirit-filled, certainly, we will radiate Christ’s Love and Mercy within our families and communities.
We pray during this period of Lent that God will give us His grace to listen to Jesus and to one another more attentively. In doing this, we will embrace a total change in our orientation and attitude to life in line with the spirit and ideals of Jesus Christ now and forever. Amen.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM.