Second Sunday of Lent, Year C:Genesis 15:5-12,17-18, Psalm 26(27):1,7-9,13-14, Philippians 3:17-4:1 ,Luke 9:28-36
This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him- Lk 9:35
“She said she will kill me, my brother and sister if I reveal anything to you,” was the response of a young girl to me during an exorcism session over the phone. And then she continued: “the woman who attacked me is standing here, complaining why I oppose her always with my power.” Then I said to the girl: ‘Do you know you can ‘destroy’ that demonic woman and she will disturb you no more? She was afraid and responded: No!. I asked someone to give her the Bible and open Psalm 68 for her to read the first verse (the words that begins the classical rite of exorcism). After she read it, I asked her to command that demonic woman to be destroyed. And she responded with joy: “Oh, I see her attacked with fire as I repeated those words.”
Child of God, to tempt Eve, the devil was concerned about what God has said and twisted it. To afflict Job, the devil was interested to ‘change’ what God had said about Job as a righteous man. To tempt Jesus as well, the devil was interested in what the Father said at his baptism: If you are the (beloved) Son of God turn this stone to bread.
In the spiritual realm, patterns are important revealing deep truths! There’s something about God’s Word that interests our enemy the devil. If you’re reading this piece you should be interested to know this as well. Don’t go away continue reading slowly…
Luke 9:28-36
Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning. Suddenly there were two men there talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they kept awake and saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ – He did not know what he was saying. As he spoke, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid. And a voice came from the cloud saying, ‘This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.’ And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone…,
POINTS FOR REFLECTION
1. Child of God, the scripture you just read recalls the Transfiguration of Jesus- a wonderful spiritual encounter with great significance- that reveals the identity and mission of Jesus as ‘Son of God’ and as ‘fulfillment of the Word of God’ enshrined in the holy books of the law and Prophets represented by Moses and Elijah.
2. Spectacular is the voice of the Father saying this is my Beloved Son. Before Jesus was born, the voice of the Father was heard through the angel Gabriel: ‘He will be called Son of the Most High’ (Lk 1:32). At his baptism, the same Words were repeated and again at the Transfiguration, with an instruction: Listen to him! This instruction came in the midst of ‘clouds’ of doubts and ‘shadows of fear’ that surrounded the disciples. The voice of the Father was heard as if to say: Peter, keep quiet and Listen!
3. Listening to Jesus (the Word of God) is the only instruction God the Father has given us as answer to answer all our questions, doubts, fears, problems, to heal sicknesses and liberate souls from bondage. The devil knows this- he knows how powerful God’s Word is- it has the ability to transform those who hear it and believe it, and it has the ability to destroy him (the devil). But because the devil wants our destruction instead, he distracts us from knowing it, he twists it to change it true meaning, and converts the only weapon that can defeat him into tool of manipulation and control. That is why the easiest way to deceive even an upright man is with the Word of God.
TASK: Pray psalm 27 now and read a bible passage everyday this Lenten Season. Remember what God said: “Listen to him”, that means Listen to Jesus! How can you listen, if you don’t know his Words? How can you listen if you don’t PRAY and READ YOUR BIBLE?
I pray for you: May the Lord open your ears to listen to his voice and your mind to understand. I declare every shadows of fears, doubts and tribulations around you be dispersed now in Jesus name. Amen
Thank you Father for this very enlightening message. God bless and strengthen you.
Amen thanks dear. God bless you.
Amen and Amen
This passage ijust answered my fears .
Thanks
Thanks Jude God bless you as you find this spiritual material resourceful