The 2nd Sunday of Lent | Sunday 5 March 2023

Today is Sunday the 5th of March, beginning the second week of Lent.

Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Be Thou My Vision’.


Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
Be thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, Thy child I shall be
Thou in me dwelling and I one with Thee
High King of heaven, my victory won
Grant heaven's joys to me, O bright heaven's sun
Heart of my own heart, heart of my own heart
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision…
Still be my vision, O ruler of all

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.


Matthew 17:1-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’

Imagine today that you are one of the disciples being led up the mountain with Jesus.

What does Jesus say to you at the beginning of this journey as he invites you to join him?

Can you picture climbing this mountain together? Imagine the terrain and the path, the weather and the conversation between the four of you.

Now, you notice that Jesus is drawing you into a clearing. Perhaps you wonder what he is going to teach you?

But instead, he is transfigured before your very eyes.

Imagine how this happens, how Jesus appears, his face shining like the sun, his clothes dazzling white. Let this image take shape and colour.

How do you feel as you watch this transformation?

Is there something that you want to do?

Now you notice a bright cloud settle above you, and you hear a voice saying to you, “This is my Son, the Beloved; With him I am well pleased; Listen to him!"


Imagine that you fall to the ground with the other disciples. What is it like laying there beneath the cloud and the voice of God that has just spoken to you? How do you feel?

Now feel the touch of Jesus on your shoulder, as he says to you, “Get up and do not be afraid.”

As you raise your eyes to him, what do you see now?

As Jesus directs you to follow him back down the mountain, notice the mood of the group as you climb down.

Can you name any ways in which this encounter has moved you today? Or perhaps changed the way you see Jesus?

Spend these final moments of prayer talking with the Lord about your experience today.

You have given all to me,
To You, Lord, I return it.
Everything is Yours,
Do with it what you will.
Give me only Your love and Your grace.
That is enough for me.
Amen.