II SUNDAY OF LENT – PRAYER
Genesis 15 : 5-12.17-18
Psalm 26 (27) 1. 7-8, 9abcd, 13-14
Philippians 3 : 20 – 4 : 1
Luke 9 : 28-36
- Today’s readings (Gn and Lk) all speak to us of experiences of God. Both are prayers. Yes, both, Abraham with his dream and the apostles with Jesus on the top of the mountain. Both are encounters with God. And both are surrounded by peace and above all by joy. It is a way of telling us: “Without prayer, there can be no Salvation”. Without prayer there is no “authentic and true joy, there is no Jubilee”. But even more, without prayer there can be no Christian life no religious life. Prayer is a key element of the Lenten season together with fasting and almsgiving. It’s a key element of any kind of religious life. That’s why I want to ask you: do you pray? Do you pray every day? How do you pray? Where do you pray?
- Prayer does not consist in repeating a formula… we can recall what we said about Faith. Prayer is not a text that I do repeat. Prayer is a meeting between people, between friends who love each other. Prayer could be compared to a “pill or a tablet” who offers us peace and joy. Do you know of any such “pill” or “tablet” that give you joy? Someone could say “Drugs!” Well, drugs are pills that take you out of reality. They can offer you some relief, but after the “high” they don’t make you or leave you in a better state… on the contrary. They allow you to flee from reality, from your reality… but just for a while…. Afterwards, it’s all emptiness. Prayer is the opposite. Prayer, if we are able to persevere… fills you up, makes you a better person, a better human being.
- Let us look at today’s Gospel: This is exactly what happens when we are aware of meeting God (in prayer)… We find joy, well-being, peace… That’s whay Peter say “Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents…” But unlike drugs, prayer is not a simple refuge, like staying up high, on top of the mountain without facing reality. Jesus always invites us to come down, down to earth, with feet on the ground. Let us not forget that this episode (the transfiguration) takes place when the apostles and Jesus are on their way to Jerusalem, where the cross and the Passion await them. Prayer makes you come down to reality, face it with more strength, being aware that you are not alone! that God is with you! Prayer has an impact in your life. It changes your life, as St. Paul said in today’s second reading, it conforms it to his image… it will transfigure us, makes us better! They are like medicines, “tablets” of truth, of reality, that help you change your life: with the Word of God, who is “living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Hb 4, 12)
- Perhaps, many of you are wondering… and how do I pray? Who can teach us? We could prepare many extra videos, many conferences and yet not cover the subjet… Please, don’t hesitate in asking us advice. But one thing is clear: you learn to pray by praying. That is, by beginning to pray! I would give you a few tips and practical points. Do you have a place where you can pray? Where you can be alone, quiet, in silence? “The private room, the secret place” Jesus mentioned in the gospel last Ash Wednesday? “Do you have a precise time of the day for you to pray? Personally I usually pray best early in the morning. Others prefer to pray in the evening. But, the most important thing is, Become aware of what you are doing… it is an encounter, not a rite, not a monologue, not just another activity… Prayer is, Saint Therese of Avila used to say, -it is not easy to translate- “Dealing of friendship, staying many times alone with the One we know who loves us.” Do I have the patience to cultivate this friendship “with the One I know loves me”?
- I invite you to dare. Choose a place. Choose a moment of the day. And dedicate at least 5 minutes of your time and your person to it: put in those 5 minutes all your strength, all your heart, all your being… Commit yourself during this Lenten season to be faithful to this encounter, being aware that you are befriending Jesus, dealing of friendship with Jesus, the one you know who loves you.
- Thank you! God bless you and blessed Sunday of Lent!
Sujets:
PRAYER