Welcome to week two, click the link below for how to get started with Slow Lent.
Introduction and suggested process
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Gospel – Mark 9:2-10 (Sunday 25 February 2018)
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.
Gospel readings are taken from NRSV Bible.
Daily reflection points
Monday
This Gospel reading takes us to a mountaintop with Jesus. What struck me in the reading?
Tuesday
Jesus is revealed to the disciples on the mountain as the Son of God. Has Jesus ever revealed himself to me in my life? How did it feel?
Wednesday
‘It is good to be here’, says Peter on the mountain, despite the fear he was experiencing. Have I ever welcomed something scary, knowing that it would be good for me?
Thursday
The disciples leave the mountain with new knowledge about Jesus. How has my knowledge of Jesus grown over time? What new experiences of Jesus might be left for me to have?
Friday
What have I discovered while spending time with Jesus on the mountain this week?
Video clip: Green hills, blue sky and clouds
(You might use your music, or nature sounds with the video).
Meditation
Jesus climbs a mountaintop with his friends Peter and James and John. At those heights, they are away from the distractions of ordinary life.
I imagine being with Jesus on the mountain. What does the mountain look like? What are the sounds at its summit? Now I consider Jesus being transfigured. I imagine his clothes dazzling white. I hear a voice from heaven saying ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ I take time to experience this spectacular moment on the mountaintop.
In life, it can be a challenge to notice God’s presence. I may want a similarly spectacular experience of God’s presence. And yet God’s holy presence is in the ordinary moments of my day. Jesus seeks to assure me that he is present at all times, on mountaintops and in valleys, in exaltation and despair.
I spend a few minutes in the presence of God:
Lord, give me eyes to see your presence in all people.
Lord, open my ears to listen to you.
Lord, enliven me with hope so that I don’t fall into despair.
Lord, send me peace so that I may be your instrument.
Lord, help me become aware of your love so that I may carry your compassion.
Lord, kindle my faith so that I may experience the fullness of joy in your presence.
Ultimately, Lord, make me come alive!
