The Labour Spokesman
Sunday is the second one of Lent, which means that we are about to enter the second week of the season. As we do so let us reflect on some aspects of the scripture readings for this time. Faced with the enormity of the sacrifice he was preparing to make for the salvation of mankind, Jesus often found it necessary to prepare himself through prayer. When he went to the top of the mountain to pray, he chose that venue for several reasons, such as the avoidance of distractions, and took with him only a few of his disciples.
The disciples fell asleep, and when they awakened they observed Jesus in agony as he prayed to God, with the spiritual incarnations of Elijah and Moses lending him support. When they sought to intervene, the two went off the scene, leaving Jesus to treat with his disciples. It startled them when they heard a voice cautioning that Jesus was the Son of God, His Beloved, and that he should be listened to. This reminds us that, as human beings, we are weak and frail, both materially and spiritually, and, like Jesus, we need prayer and fasting in order to strengthen ourselves spiritually. It therefore behoves us always to remember the teachings of Jesus, who admonished us never to make a show of praying and fasting. As we continue on this year’s Lenten journey, let us do all that we can to remain strong in the faith, and to be earnest and discreet in our efforts to strengthen our relationship with our Heavenly Father.