Lent | Mark 9:2-9
During the Lenten Season, we are exploring different spiritual practices that will help us engage with scripture in ways beyond what we have perhaps embraced or practiced before. Last week, we shared with you a spiritual practice called Contemplative Scripture Reading. This week we continue with the practice of Contemplative Scripture Reading, focusing on Mark 9:2–9.
As a practice of immersing oneself in the words of the reading and bringing them to life, read 1-2 verses at a time, and pause after each set of verses for a time of meditation. During that time, imagine the scene that is being described. What do you see, hear, or smell? How do you feel? How do others in the scene feel? What are their facial expressions? Explore the scene in your mind.
Repeat this practice until all of the verses have been read. Once the entire passage has been read, you are invited to journal your experiences. What stood out? What did you see, hear, smell, of feel?
Today we will be focusing on Mark 9:2-9:
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Here are some additional questions for you to ponder and journal about after you finish this particular spiritual practice, either now or throughout this week:
Elijah and Moses, important faith figures prior to Jesus, are present at the moment when Jesus is transfigured. What significance could this hold? Why do you think they are there, and how do you think Peter, James, and John felt about their presence?
The voice from the cloud declares Jesus as the beloved Son and commands, "Listen to him!" What might this statement reveal about Jesus' identity and mission? How might this have impacted the disciples' perception of Jesus?
Jesus instructs the disciples to tell no one about the Transfiguration until after he has risen from the dead. Why do you think he gave this instruction? What could this reveal to us about the timing and revelation of divine mysteries?
Reflecting on the overall narrative, what personal insights or lessons could you draw from the story of the Transfiguration? How does this passage connect to your own spiritual beliefs or experiences?
Join our Lenten Reflections Group!
Would you like to engage with some of these spiritual practices in community?
Join our Lenten Reflections Drop-In Group! This group will be led by QCF Community Members Emerson Quadri (they/them) & Jessica Quadri (she/her) Wednesdays at 8PM ET. Join us for a time of reflection and discussion as we head into the Easter season.
Visit the link below to learn more!
