Second Sunday in Lent, Year C
In our reading, God told Abraham that he will have descendants that will number as the stars. Abraham believed God and God was pleased with his faith. God told Abraham that he brought him here so he could give Abraham this land. Abraham asked God how he would know that the land would truly belong to him. God asked Abraham to bring an offering of a young cow, a young goat, a young ram, a turtledove and a pigeon. Abraham did as he was asked and God made a covenant saying, "I will give all this land to your family; all this land from the river of Egypt to the great river Euphrates.
In our Gospel, Peter, James, and John went up on the mountain with Jesus. While Jesus was praying, his face changed and his clothes were shining white. The prophets Moses and Elijah were also there shining in glory talking with Jesus about how he would die. Peter, James and John had fallen asleep and saw the three when they woke up. Peter wanted to make three tents. It was such a beautiful feeling that he thought they should stay. A shadow came over them and they became frightened. God said “This is my son, my chosen one. Listen to him.” Jesus was the only one left with Peter, James and John.
Special Saint:
St. Gemma Galgani – March 11
Gemma was born in Italy in 1878. Her parents were devout Catholics. Gemma was very close to her mother, who took time each day to pray with Gemma and teach her about God.
Her mother became very ill and after 5 years of suffering, she died when Gemma was 8 years old. Gemma longed for someone to pray with her as her mother had done but no one else in her family understood her need for prayer.
Gemma did well in school and was liked by all who knew her. She helped out as much as she could at home, and she brought food and money to the poor. She went to Mass daily and prayed every day.
At 19 years old, Gemma became very sick. She stayed in bed for 2 years and was very close to death. St. Gabriel Possenti (we learned about him a few weeks ago) appeared in a vision and Gemma was miraculously cured.
Gemma wanted to become a Passionist nun (the same order St. Gabriel was from) but she was not accepted because of her poor health.
Meanwhile, Gemma received the 5 wounds of Jesus and she was able to share in the sufferings of Jesus before his death on the cross. Jesus often visited Gemma.
Gemma became sick with tuberculosis and she offered her suffering to God to make up for the sins of the whole world.
Gemma died on April 11, 1903 at 25 years old.
Everyone experiences sadness and difficulties sometimes. Like St. Gemma, we can offer our sorrows and sufferings to God. If we do this, God will help us to feel better; and he will make us grow stronger.