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March 1, 2015
Scripture readings for today: Genesis 22:1-2, 9, 10-13, 15-18; Psalm 116; Romans 8:31-34; Mark 9:2-10
When I was young, I often felt as though my parents, my teacher, my coach, and sometimes my closest friends didn’t really understand me. Perhaps the biggest struggle for the human heart is the disappointment and frustration we experience when we are misunderstood.
This is what I believe Jesus was struggling with as He tried to make the Father known to the scribes and Pharisees, His disciples, and His closest friends. Christ loves us and wants us to enter into the deepest of life-giving relationships with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus leads Peter, James, and John to the top of the mountain, where He reveals three timeless truths: 1) we need prayer and meditation, 2) intimate encounters with Christ will lead us to greater clarity and understanding of Him and our faith, 3) and our mountaintop “peak experiences” must sustain us through the dark valleys of human weakness and tribulation. It’s naive to think they will last forever this side of heaven.
During this Lenten season we make an extra effort to carve out “peak” times in our day to pray and mediate with our Redeemer. As a result, our mind and heart can be transformed. We can come to better understand Jesus in our life—and He can understand us. Once our heart is truly one with His, we can echo the words of St. Peter: “O Lord, it is good for us to be here!”
Father Richard Bennett, C.Ss.R.
Bronx, N.Y.Download our 2015 Daily Lenten Devotions booklet here.