Reflection for the Second Sunday of Lent

It must have started as an ordinary day for Abram when God took him outside and had him try to count the stars. And then God spoke. There were words. God gave Abram the great promise of many descendants. What faith was called forth that day for our ancient ancestor in faith. Abram’s life changed from that day forward. Genesis tells us even a trance fell upon him. The experience of God is overwhelming and life changing.

It must have started as an ordinary day for Mary when an angel appeared out of nowhere. There were words spoken by Gabriel inviting her to be the mother of God. Her life changed from that day forward. She went in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth. That journey from Nazareth to a town in the hill country of Judah must have given her many silent moments of pause, time to process the happening. The experience of God is overwhelming and life changing.

It must have started as an ordinary day for Peter, James and John when Jesus took them up the mountain. He had done that before as Matthew tells us that Jesus went up the mountain, sat down and taught the crowd the beatitudes. Luke tells us this time, unexpectedly for the disciples, Jesus was transfigured before them. They saw his glory and having been overcome by sleep, became fully awake as they saw Jesus’ glory and Moses and Elijah standing with him. They were overwhelmed becoming frightened as a cloud came and cast a shadow over them and they heard words, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” Their life changed from that day forward. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen. The experience of God is overwhelming and life changing.

What about us? What about you and me?

Our call must have started in an ordinary day in your life and in mine. What words or experience­­—big or little—did you hear that brought you to this monastery? Every woman in this community has had an experience of God —big or little—that caused you to leave behind the life and family you could have had and to give your life away to God by following his call. So, like Abram and Mary and Peter, James and John, your life changed from that day forward. The experience of God is overwhelming and life changing.

For us, each day starts out as an ordinary day. We hear words in our lectio, from readings, from the liturgy, and from one another. Sometimes we feel the words are directed directly at us. Sometimes an insight quickens our heart. Scripture exhorts us, “Listen to what he tells you.” Our life is continually changed day after day. Saint Benedict says quoting Psalm 94, “If you hear his voice today, do not harden your heart” and again, “You have ears to hear, listen to what the Spirit says…” Benedict also exhorts, “What is more delightful than the voice of the Lord calling to us? See how the Lord in his love shows us the way of life.” It did that for Abram, for Mary, for Peter, James and John. The experience of God is overwhelming and life changing.

Benedict also says, “What book of the holy catholic Fathers does not resoundingly summon us along the true way to reach the Creator.” And “What passage of the inspired books of the Old and New Testament is not the truest of guides for human life?” Trust it! The experience of God is overwhelming and life changing.

Hearing God may not happen to us in a mountaintop experience. It always begins in an ordinary day. St. Teresa of Avila tells us that for her God was found among the pots and pans. For Teresa it all began as an ordinary day—day after day. It begins in an ordinary day for us, as well. Let us not miss the ordinary in which the voice of God calls to us through what we hear, what we read, and in whom we encounter daily as we go to God together. Flet us open our ears to the voice from heaven who calls to us each day. The experience of God is overwhelming and life changing. And may he bring us all together to everlasting life.

Sister Nancy Gunderson, OSB

March 16, 2025