Homily – 2nd Sunday Lent – A – Fr Jeremiah Browne (National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies #southafrican #Swaziland #eswatini #Botswana)
There is a story told about President Franklin Roosevelt who was known for his ready smile and his boisterous personality. It seems that he came to realise that when people line up to greet him that don’t really listen to what he says. So one evening, he decided to play a little trick on his guests. As each person came up to him with hands extended, he flashed his big smile and said, “I murdered my grandmother this morning.”
People would automatically respond with comments such as “How lovely.” or “Continue on with your great work.” Nobody listened to what he was saying, except for one foreign diplomat. When the president said, “I murdered my grandmother this morning,” the diplomat responded softly, “I’m sure she had it coming to her.”
It’s a funny story, but how often do we do the same? It seems that we have lot’s to say but we are not very good at listening. Think about it! How do you listen? Do you listen to hear what the other person is saying? Or, do you listen to contradict? Do you listen with judgement already formed? Do you listen to defend your position?
In the gospel today (Matthew 17:1-9) we hear the story of the transfiguration and a moment of revelation when a voice from the cloud declares “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
Biblical listening means more than registering words. It means allowing those words to enter the heart and shape our decisions and how we live our lives. Abram listened when God called him to leave his homeland (Genesis 12:1-4). There were no guarantees, no detailed map, no security plan. He stepped into the unknown because he trusted the voice that called him. Saint Paul listened when Christ claimed him on the road to Damascus. Paul endured hardship, misunderstanding and persecution because he trusted that the voice he had heard was true.
Lent invites us to examine the voices that shape us. Whose voice carries weight in our lives? The constant commentary of social media? The expectations of family? The inner critic that whispers, “You are not enough,” or “There is no hope”? These do not echo the voice of the beloved Son, and so we need to discern wisely.
In such a noisy world, discernment becomes essential. The voice of Christ will always lead towards love, truth, mercy and courage. It may challenge comfort, but it never humiliates. It may demand sacrifice, but it never diminishes dignity. Listening to him gradually transforms us, just as the disciples were changed by what they witnessed on the mountain.
Listening also shapes our relationships. Many conflicts arise not from malice, but from failure to listen deeply. To listen is to offer respect. To listen is to say, “Your experience matters.” Such listening can heal marriages, families, parishes, communities, damaged relationships.
There is another side to this reflection. Sometimes we speak truthfully, lovingly and patiently, yet we are not heard. The temptation is to shout louder or to grow bitter. A wise saying reminds us: “Some people will not hear you regardless of how much, how loudly, how truthfully, how lovingly, or how profoundly you speak. Wish them well and let them go.” There are moments when fidelity means entrusting the other person to God and moving forward in peace.
Even Jesus was not heard by everyone. (Joh6:59). At times he moved on to the next town, and even instructed his disciples to do the same. In Mark 6:11 he says “If any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” Not every argument must be won. Not every critic must be convinced. Sometimes faithfulness means speaking the truth with love, then entrusting the outcome to God.
The deeper question, however, for each of us is whether we are listening to Christ in a way that changes us – because we can’t change anybody else, we can only change ourselves. When Jesus speaks about forgiveness, do we forgive? When he speaks about generosity, do we give? When he speaks about the cross, do we carry our own with patience and hope?
On the mountain, Peter wanted to build tents and remain in the light. Jesus led them back down into ordinary life. The real test of listening would happen there, in daily choices, in misunderstanding, in the shadow of the cross.
As we continue our Lenten journey, perhaps the question is simple: are we truly listening to Christ, or merely hearing him? When his word challenges our habits, do we adjust our lives? When he calls us to forgive, to let go, to trust, do we respond?
So what might these scriptures be asking of you today? Where is Christ’s voice inviting you to move, to forgive, to let go, to begin again?
Lent offers space to respond. If we dare to listen with open hearts, even imperfectly, we will find that the path through suffering leads to glory, and that attentive hearts are slowly transfigured from within.
*****************
If you would like to make a monetary donation to support the Mission of the Church you can do so on our website using the give button: https://missio-sacbc.org/donate
**************
Please consider praying a decade of the rosary on a daily basis for the evangelising Mission of the Church and the Pope’s intentions.
The pope’s prayer intention for March is “For disarmament and peace”
Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.
*****************
Blessed Pauline Jaricot, Pray for us. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
*****************
Batswana Catholics Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference Diocese of Francistown Diocese of Francistown Youth & Young Adults Catholic Diocese of MthathaCatholic Diocese Of Kroonstad Missionary Childhood MTHATHA CATHOLIC DIOCESAN YOUTH: ULUTSHA OLUNENJONGO P.M.C Diocese of Manzini Catholic Diocese of Kimberley Youth & Young Adults MinistryCatholic Women’s League Archdiocese of Cape Town Catholic Institute of EducationCatholic Catholic Diocese of Port Elizabeth #catholic #faith #Hope #love #lent