Homily: Second Sunday of Lent (B)
Mark 9:2-10
25 February 2024
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez
One time, I was trying to prepare my Sunday homily when loud music was blaring from outside the rectory. The dogs were startled and they started barking. I could hear the household staff speaking loudly but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. There was so much noise, I could barely hear myself think! I was so bothered by everything; it was hard for me to be still and to be focused. Listening is impossible when there is a lot of noise around us. Noise, however can also come from within us, such as the intense beating of an anxious heart, the rumbling of a “hangry” tummy, or fearful thoughts that play a disturbing monologue in our heads over and over. The challenge is to learn how to listen.
For this Sunday’s gospel passage, we are told that Peter, James and John witnessed something so magnificent and mysterious. They were so terrified that they did not know what to say. Despite this, Peter blurts out that they should build three (3) tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah — a suggestion that would keep them on the mountain suspended in that glorious encounter and away from what scary future awaited them in Jerusalem. Only when they fall silent do they hear the voice of God Himself confirming Jesus is His Son, and that they must listen to Him. We can imagine how these three (3) simple men were so confused and still in shock as they descended Mount Tabor. When Jesus cautions them not to tell others until He arises from the dead, they become confused all the more! Although they obey Him, they cannot help but discuss among themselves what Jesus could have meant.
The imperative word, “Listen” is one of the most used words in the Bible. There are quite a good number of verses with an invitation to listen to God and heed His message. There are also many stories in scripture of important Biblical characters who failed to listen to God’s counsel either directly or through His prophets. A few weeks ago, our readings featured King Solomon, who, though known for His wisdom, foolishly took on many foreign wives despite warnings he received from the prophets. Solomon ended up worshipping the false gods of his foreign wives. For that, God took away the kingdom and allowed it to be divided up among its enemies. Sometimes, failure to listen could have huge consequences. 😔
Listening is a tricky skill. First of all, you need the gift of discernment. Know whom you should be listening to. Should you listen to your gossiping neighbour? Should you listen to advertisements that try to convince you that you are not pretty enough, not thin enough, not smart enough, not rich enough? Should you listen to podcasts and radio and TV stations that are biased? Listen to those who are trustworthy, whose words mean something. Secondly, we must be prepared to listen. Focus. Clear our head. Face the person speaking to us. If absolute silence is needed, then we go to a quiet place. In fact, when people need guidance from God, they go on retreats in secluded places. Lastly, we need to determine if an aspect of what we listened to needs action. Is something requested of us? Are we commanded to do something? It can be difficult to understand what is being asked of us. Peter, James and John, did not often understand what Jesus told them or asked of them. They only understood in hindsight when all Jesus predicted had come to pass.
Lent is a privileged time to attentively listen to the voice of God in prayer. Aside from fasting and almsgiving which are part of the Lenten discipline, we must make time to pray. We must bring ourselves to prayer to listen to God without distraction — without the noise of mobile phones, iPads, radios and televisions. “LISTEN!” This is the invitation for Lent! As the Austrian pianist, poet and author Alfred Brendel observes: “The word ‘LISTEN’ contains the same letters as the word ‘SILENT’!” I need to be silent so I can listen to God’s voice. We need to be especially sensitive to the voice of Jesus. More often than not we do not hear the human voice of Jesus in our ears. We hear Him speak to us in our hearts or through the counsel of other people. I believe I once told you of a friend of mine who abstains from social media each Lent. She is incommunicado on online platforms. I admire her for doing this because sometimes, we need to do something drastic in order for us to really listen from and with all our hearts.
Brothers and sisters, the busyness of life can sometimes prevent us from taking the time to stop and really listen — to each other, to ourselves and to God. During this Lenten Season, we are called not only to listen to God’s voice but to respond to God’s voice wholeheartedly. Let us trust that God’s message for us is always filled with love. And even though His message for us brings change, let us trust that in the end, the transformation that happens within us is always for the better.
The Transfiguration 2023 Printmaking by Chris Brazelton
Sunday Gospel Reflections 