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Lifelong Catechesis

Forming Catholic identity across generations
September 17, 2024
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Lent

Forty days before the Triduum, the Lenten season disposes Catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery through prayer and penitential practices.

Sunday Readings and Backgrounds

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Second Sunday of Lent

Reading I : Genesis 12:1-4a

I will make of you a great nation.

  • In the first reading, Abraham is obedient to God’s call.
  • Abraham is blessed by God. Ultimately, blessing is a sharing in the life of God, a sharing in God’s power to bring life and to sustain it.
  • Because of Abraham’s obedience, the inexorable progress of sin and separation is reversed and God’s blessing begins to fill the world.

Reading II : 2 Timothy 1:8b-10

God has called us to a holy life.

  • In 2 Timothy the point is made that through obedience, followers of Jesus will share in the sufferings of Jesus and then come to share forever in his glory.
  • Through his death on the cross, Jesus has conquered death.
  • The final goal of God’s blessing is new life.

Gospel : Matthew 17:1-9

Get up! Do not be afraid!

  • In the Gospel story Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, a favorite place in the Gospel of Matthew for revelation.
  • There, the presence of God shines through Jesus and he is transformed.
  • Moses and Elijah, representatives of the Law and the prophets, appear with Jesus.