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MAIN MESSAGE
[This is for reference only. Please do not read it at Mass]
The Second Sunday of Lent focuses on the transfiguration of Jesus. It was a glorious revelation
to the disciples of who their master really was. The words of the Father both strengthened the
message and directed them to respond to it: “This is my beloved Son! Listen to him.”
Today God exhorts us all to listen to Christ, for he ‘has the words of eternal life’. We talk to
the children about listening to scripture, as opposed to simply hearing it. We give them some practical
steps to make scripture reading an exercise in listening.
They could be reminded to keep following the Lenten Calendar as a family.
INTRODUCTION:
Celebrant: Children, last week I asked you what you would do if you got a phone call from your dad
calling you to his office. Today I want to ask you a question which is just a little bit different.
• Suppose your mummy called out to you when you were half asleep in bed, and said, “I think your
principal is on the line. He wants to talk to you.” What would you do?...
Run to the phone, of course, and listen carefully to what your principal says! If such an important
person calls, you wouldn’t say, “I’m too sleepy. Tell him to call later!”
• Today we will hear how God the Father spoke from a cloud and told Jesus’ disciples, “This is my
beloved Son. Listen to him!” He wanted to make sure they knew that Jesus was someone very special,
someone they must listen to.
Homily:
Celebrant: Did you pay attention to the gospel?
Close your eyes and try to imagine the whole story.
Imagine you are also there with Peter, James and
John, climbing up the mountain with Jesus. You
reach the top and you are out of breath and tired.
You sit down on a rock and suddenly you notice a
strange light. You turn round and see that Jesus is shining, brighter and brighter, so that you can hardly
look at him. What is happening?
Then you see two other men appear like magic next to Jesus. Even though you have never seen a picture
of Moses or Elijah, you know that it is them. Jesus talks to them for some time while you and the
disciples watch.
Then the most awesome thing happens. A huge shining cloud covers you all and out of the cloud a voice
comes, thundering: “This is my beloved Son! Listen to him!” Then everything is back to normal and you
see only Jesus, looking like a normal person.
As you walk down the mountain again, you keep hearing the words over and over in your mind, “This is
my beloved Son…my beloved Son… listen to him!.. Listen to him!...” And you keep seeing Jesus, like a
sun, shining brightly, looking so great and wonderful…. Open your eyes now.
• What do you think the three disciples, Peter, James and John felt as they came down the mountain?
They had followed Jesus for many months and had heard him teach many times. But now they realised
in a new way, that their master was not just an ordinary man. He was God’s own Son… He was God!
After hearing the Father’s words they realised that they must listen to Jesus.
• [The message would be more meaningful if a personal testimony or story is told of how God spoke to
someone through the scripture.]
• What do you think God meant when he said, “Listen to him!”? Listening is more than just hearing.
Right now all of you can hear many sounds, because you are not deaf. You all have ears to hear with.
But if I tell you now to be quiet and listen to the sounds around, you will suddenly notice more… the
sound of traffic on the road… a child crying… dogs barking… even your own breathing. Listening
means paying great attention. I think God also wanted the disciples to take Jesus’ words to heart and
think about them and try to follow them.
• Today the Father is saying to all of us, to you and to me, “Jesus is my beloved Son. He has many
things to say to you, because he loves you. Listen to him!”
• How does Jesus talk to us? He talks to us in many ways, but he talks to us especially through the
Gospels. In the Gospels we hear Jesus’ own words and hear what he did. Do you read the Bible at
home? Do you read as a family? I will give you some good hints to help you to listen and not just
hear:
1. First of all be quiet and get ready to listen.(Remember, the words are not just ordinary words, but they
are God talking to you.) You could ask the Holy Spirit to help you listen.
2. Read the Bible passage you have chosen. As you listen, keep asking, “What are you saying to me,
Lord?” Read the passage again.
3. If some words seem special to you, write them down, or keep repeating them in your mind, so that
you remember them.
4. Now talk to God about them.
5. If you are with your family, each one can tell the others the words that struck them.
6. Keep the words in your mind all the day.
• How happy the Father will be if you do this! Just as he blessed Abraham for listening to him, he will
bless you for listening to his son, Jesus.
APPROPRIATE HYMNS PREPARATION REQUIRED: