When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

—Matthew 17:6–8

The Old Testament taught that people could not look upon the face of God and live, so the disciples fall prostrate to hide themselves. Jesus tells them not to be afraid, and when they look up, only he remains.

Sometimes, our desire for answers from God comes from a need to be in control of our cir- cumstances. When we don’t feel in control, we feel afraid. But this assumes we would be less afraid if we knew the answers to questions such as, “Why suffering and death?” or that any answer would suffice. The peace of Jesus goes deeper than the kind of mental satisfaction we feel when we have the answers to our questions. Jesus accepts our questions and still says to us, “Do not be afraid.”

Tell God what things make you feel afraid. Ask God to stay near to you in your questions where you don’t feel like you have a good answer.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”   Matthew 17:5

In this middle of Peter’s request to set up camp on the mountain, God the Father interrupts him. Matthew records here the same words spoken at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River (3:17): “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

God does not stop loving Jesus, even though he allows his beloved Son to undergo suffering and death. It does not please the Father to see his children suffer. There is no greater mystery and tragedy, nothing that seems to make less sense than the death of someone we love, especially if the time and circumstances seem random or wrong. God does not give us any easy answers. Instead, he gives us his Son, to be with us always, especially in times of suffering and death.

Today, spend some quiet time, away from distractions, to “listen to him” as the Father tells us to do.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Matthew 17:4

Peter sees the glory of Jesus, and he is awestruck. It is so good that he wants to stay there, and he tries to get Jesus to stay. Surely, he thinks, Why can’t following Jesus always be like this? Why go any further?

It is good when we have these mountaintop experiences in our faith, but like a photograph, they only capture a moment and not the whole story. To stay on the mountaintop would be a temptation to Jesus to avoid his mission and escape the horror of the Cross that awaits him.

Today, ask God to equip you with the grace of trust you will need to face with courage and patience what- ever suffering or tragedy comes your way in life.

This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.   Matthew 17:1–3

The radiant appearance of Jesus in Matthew’s telling of the Transfiguration reveals the divinity of the Christ, showing that he is both fully God and fully human. The appearance of Moses and Elijah reinforces that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to save his people.

That Jesus is both fully divine and fully human means his story will include glory and honor as well as suffering and death. As we grow as disciples of Jesus, we learn to see our own stories—our accomplishments, successes, failures, sufferings, and death—in the light of that story.

Today, pray for those in your life who are experiencing suffering or the effects of losing a loved one. Pray that they find the strength to trust the Lord’s ways.

This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Psalm 119

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

Blessed are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.

Blessed are they who observe his decrees, who seek him with all their heart.

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

You have commanded that your precepts be diligently kept.

Oh, that I might be firm in the ways of keeping your statutes!

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

I will give you thanks with an upright heart, when I have learned your just ordinances.

I will keep your statutes;

do not utterly forsake me.

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
Genesis 3:7

Suddenly, their eyes were opened and their lives changed forever. But it was a life God had not intended: one with sin and death, lacking peace and perfect harmony. Instead of satisfaction, Adam and Eve felt ashamed.

God wanted to protect humanity from the pain and shame that came from eating the forbidden fruit. He told them no, so they would not experience evil. God says no to protect us from evil. He is not keeping something from us but is for us.

Today, ask God to help you accept every no and yes on your daily faith journey. Pray that you learn to trust God, even when his answer seems tough or painful.

This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and the tree was desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.   Genesis 3:6

Everything God created was good. God did not create evil. Evil entered the world because God gave humans free will—the ability to choose good or evil—and humans chose to misuse God’s good creation for harmful ends. The serpent’s lie is not saying the fruit is good or attractive. The lie is that this particular good thing, this piece of fruit, is meant for Eve to eat.

This deception happens often in life. We see things that look good on the surface, that seem desirable, but God knows they are not good for us. So he tells us they are off limits. Like Eve, we will be tempted to eat the fruit, to make a decision that will cause us harm in the end.

Pray for the grace today to recognize and refuse the forbidden fruits that will bring unnecessary pain to your life.

This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The woman answered the snake: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, or else you will die.’” But the snake said to the woman: “You certainly will not die! God knows well that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, who know good and evil.”    Genesis 3:2–5

The snake tells Eve: God is holding out on you. God is keeping good things from you. God doesn’t want you to eat the fruit because he wants to control you. God is against you and not for you. If you want to have a great life, you need to get rid of God and go on without him. Your life would be so much better without God. He is not the cause of happiness but an obstacle to it.

This is what the Evil One does. He works to steal our trust in God, so that we question God’s intentions and love for us. Good parents know that they must protect their children from evil in the world, evil their kids don’t even understand. A parent saying no to something that may bring harm to a child is a sign of love deeper than children can comprehend from their limited life experience.

Where do you hear God saying no this Lent? Ask God for greater faith to recognize his yes in your life. Ask the Lord to teach you to trust.

This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Now the snake was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He asked the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You shall not eat from any of the trees in the garden’?”   Genesis 3:1

God said Adam and Eve could not eat from only one tree, but the snake twists these words. He makes God sound very controlling, as if he doesn’t want Eve to enjoy life. The snake places a seed of doubt in Eve’s mind, which eventually leads to the Fall of humanity.

We are tempted in the same way today. We are tempted to see God as giving us a bunch of rules that limit our freedom. We are tempted to distrust God’s goodness so that we see his laws and teachings as impediments to a good life and not the path of life.

Ask God today for the grace to remember that he doesn’t give his laws and teachings to keep us from the good life but rather to lead us to the good life.

This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.