Liturgical Notes: Lent II C

We open our eyes to the hungry

and see the faces of Christ.

In These Days of Lenten Journey
verse 2
by Ricky Manalo CSP

There is an obvious clash between the picture above; the glorious stained glass window of the Transfiguration at St. Leon Cathedral in Burbank, California and the lyrics from In These Days of Lenten Journey. Read on; the connection will be clear by the end of this blog.

Stained glass windows were originally designed for decorative purposes. The church quickly realized they were an excellent means of conveying gospel stories to an illiterate population of faithful and those to be converted to the faith.

So, why the image and song today?

A tongue in cheek answer might be that very few of us had this on our I-phone:

The second, and more important is that pictures and music draw us into and enhance our hearing of the story.

Consider today's gospel Luke 9:28b-36 and the words of this week's prelude Transfiguration.

Picture yourself with Peter, James and John as you are awakened to Jesus standing with two of the greatest prophets of the Hebrew Bible at His side.

Today's offertory song is "Transfigure Us, O Lord" (checkout the beautiful Youtube slideshow with music at the bottom of this blog.) The lyrics include beautiful images which speak to personal transfiguration. You might substitute the word; transformation.

We pray the Lord break the chains that bind us, and offer light in our darkness.

*******

In responding to the question "Where do you see Jesus,? Pope Francis replied; "....in that child who is hungry, in the one who is sick, in those unjust social structures.”

Pope Francis, Meeting with Students of Jesuit Schools — Q&A, 6/7/13

The song In These Days of Lenten Journey (which has been playing) speak to the Holy Father's words. I have chosen to use a verse as the closing hymn for each of the 5 week's of lent. Today's verse (#2) will cause me to reexamine my drive through Newark on Route 21 as I come to and from church this week.

Let us be mindful to pray what we sing and put our prayers into actions.

Wishing you a blessed lent.

Bruce