Humbly Exalting Christ

Second Sunday of Lent 

01 March 2026

 

First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8b-10

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

 

Reflection

By: Anton B. Ocampo

 

We hear the narrative of the Transfiguration of the Lord twice during the celebration of the Holy Mass in each liturgical year. The first time is this very day, the Second Sunday of Lent. The second time we hear the narrative in this very important event in the life of the Lord during the Eucharistic celebration is on August 6, the date that the Church designated to reflect and celebrate this event. In both days, the significance of this event in the life of the Lord is the primary focus of reflection. Aside from His wonderous Nativity, His Baptism in the Jordan River, His most dolorous and sorrowful Passion and Death, and His most glorious Resurrection, the Transfiguration is a very significant moment in Jesus’ earthly life.

By introducing Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Father shows everyone how to exalt His Son. Even though Jesus brought only three apostles – Peter, James, and John – with Him to the mountain, the words the Father spoke at that very moment were for everyone. The Father mandates everyone to listen and to obey Jesus. Like Abram, who we now know as Abraham, in the featured narrative in the First Reading, we should humbly exalt the Lord Jesus Christ with all our hearts and minds by listening and obeying Him.

In the context of the Lenten season, the Church invites us to reflect on this very significant moment in the life of Jesus, namely His Transfiguration, as a moment of revelation. Upon being transfigured, the identity of Jesus as true God was revealed. The Father spoke from Heaven, introducing Jesus as the promised Messiah who should be listened to (Matthew 17:5). As the Messiah, Jesus showed the great mercy of God that was referred to very clearly in the song of praise which the Responsorial Psalm features. The way Jesus did so is clearly explained to by Saint Paul the Apostle in the Second Reading. He did this through His Holy Cross and glorious Resurrection.

As a community of faith who form the Church, let us not steal the spotlight from the Lord Jesus. Rather, we should humble ourselves and exalt Him by wholeheartedly listening and obeying Him. By doing this, we are expressing our faith and devotion to Him.

    

Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ, we humbly present ourselves to You. We, Your humble servants, humbly ask Your forgiveness for trying to steal the spotlight from You. We humbly thank You for showing us Your love, mercy, compassion, and grace. May we be humble of heart, like You, who we humbly exalt and praise forever and ever. Amen.

Unconditional Love

Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross 

14 September 2025

 

First Reading: Numbers 21:4b-9

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38

Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

Gospel: John 3:13-17

 

Reflection

By: Benj Santiago

 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish, but might have eternal life …” John 3:16

I am assured that everything begins with God’s love, and that God’s love is not small or selective. It is for the whole world, for every single person, sinners and holy. As in everyone even the corrupt and the murderers who repent. Because of this great love, God gave us His greatest gift: His Son, Jesus Christ fully revealed on the Cross. When Jesus was “lifted up” on the Cross, He carried our sins and gave His life for us. His sacrifice offered forgiveness and eternal life. We just have to believe.

To “believe in Him” means more than just knowing about Jesus. It means trusting Him, following Him, and letting His love guide our lives. It means turning away from our sins and following Him. When we put our faith in Jesus, we don’t have to fear being lost or condemned. Instead, we are promised eternal life—a life with God that begins now and lasts forever.

The Cross, then, is not a sign of punishment, but a sign of love. It reminds us that no matter what we go through, or how big the sin we have committed, God’s love is stronger than sin and death. John 3:16 is truly the Good News: God loves us, God saves us, and God gives us life through His Son.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we thank You for showing us Your great love by giving Your life on the Cross. Help us all to believe in You with all our hearts, to trust, and to follow You in everything we do. Teach us to live with hope, to share Your love with others, and to never forget that we are saved by Your sacrifice. May Your Cross always remind us of the eternal life You have promised. Amen.