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b'(Gn.12:1-4a;\\xa0\\xa0 Ps.33:4-5,18-20,22;\\xa0\\xa0 2Tm.1:8b-10;\\xa0\\xa0 Mt.17:1-9) \\xa0 \\u201cRise, and do not be afraid.\\u201d \\xa0 Here in the midst of the darkness we drink in during this Lenten Season comes a light shining to assure our hearts of the promise that is ours.\\xa0 The Lord\\u2019s Transfiguration is presented to us this day to lead us through all the tribulations of the cross to the resurrection, which is our holy goal. \\u201cBeloved: Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God,\\u201d Paul says to his special child Timothy, and so the Lord speaks to us all, reminding us that \\u201cHe saved us and called us to a holy life.\\u201d\\xa0 It is \\u201cup a high mountain by themselves\\u201d Jesus leads His principal disciples Peter, James, and John, to reveal to them the glory to which they are called \\u2013 thus signifying the cross we must all carry along the rough terrain of this world to reach our place in heaven.\\xa0 In seeing that \\u201cHis face shone like the sun and His clothes became white as light\\u201d and then hearing the voice of the Father overshadowing them, they are overawed\\u2026 but the hand of the Lord touches them, and strengthens them for the road ahead. Our call is like that of Abraham, the father of all those of faith: \\u201cGo forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father\\u2019s house to a land that I will show you.\\u201d\\xa0 We all must leave behind the security this world holds and go according to God\\u2019s word, to travel in a land foreign to our souls.\\xa0 But His assurance is with us, His blessing is upon us, and so the darkness of the night should not make us afraid.\\xa0 For \\u201cthe eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear Him, upon those who hope for His kindness, to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine.\\u201d\\xa0 And so, however difficult the walk, however steep the climb, our hearts should never waver; for we have always at our side \\u201cour Savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.\\u201d And so, brothers and sisters, as we travel through the heart of the sacrifice this Lenten time invites us to share, let it be that \\u201cour soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield,\\u201d and let our prayer be as David\\u2019s: \\u201cMay your kindness, O Lord, be upon us, who have put our hope in you.\\u201d\\xa0 For Jesus is before us to lead us to our home. \\xa0 Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. \\xa0 Music: "Going Home" from\\xa0Cleansing Human Frailty, fourth album of\\xa0Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. \\xa0 ******* O LORD, let your eyes be upon us to guide us by your holy light, and let our eyes look up and meet your own.\\xa0 YHWH, let us go as you direct us; let us follow your Son wherever He leads.\\xa0 Though it be up a high mountain, though the path be rough and darkness overshadow us, let us not hesitate.\\xa0 Let us listen to His voice speaking to our souls: \\u201cRise, and do not be afraid.\\u201d O LORD, you deliver us from death and preserve us despite any trial of this world.\\xa0 To Heaven the way of the Cross does lead, so let us not be afraid.\\xa0 Let us put our hope and our trust in you, knowing that you are always at our side, that your Spirit is with us ever to guide us to your eternal kingdom.\\xa0 Let us know and remember that we will rise with Jesus. All your works are trustworthy, dear God, and so let us be obedient to your call, that our lives, too, might be formed by your hand.\\xa0 Grant us vision that we might see our way through the darkness of this world by the light of your beloved Son.'