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Gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent

February 21, 2027 · Mark 9:2-10

This is my beloved Son

On the mountain, Jesus is transfigured before three disciples. The Father’s voice asks us to listen to him. Mark 9:2-10

Liturgical color: violet

This Sunday’s Gospel, in everyday words

Jesus went up a high mountain with Peter, James, and John. There he was transfigured before them. Mark 9:2

His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone on earth could bleach them. Mark 9:3

Elijah and Moses appeared to them, talking with Jesus. Mark 9:4

Peter said it was good to stay there and to make three tents. He did not know what he was saying, because they were terrified. Mark 9:5-6

A cloud came over them, and a voice came from the cloud. It said that Jesus was his beloved Son, and that they should listen to him. Mark 9:7

Suddenly they saw no one but Jesus. On the way down, Jesus asked them not to tell anyone until he had risen. Mark 9:8-9

What the Bible says

Mark 9:2-10

2And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter and James and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves, and was transfigured before them. 3And his garments became shining and exceeding white as snow, so as no fuller upon earth can make white. 4And there appeared to them Elias with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. 5And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 6For he knew not what he said: for they were struck with fear. 7And there was a cloud overshadowing them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is my most beloved son; hear ye him. 8And immediately looking about, they saw no man any more, but Jesus only with them. 9And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them not to tell any man what things they had seen, till the Son of man shall be risen again from the dead. 10And they kept the word to themselves; questioning together what that should mean, when he shall be risen from the dead.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The other readings at Mass

First Reading

God puts Abraham to the test and asks him for his son Isaac. An angel stops him, and God blesses Abraham. Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

Responsorial Psalm

“I will walk before the Lord.” Psalm 116:10, 15-19

Second Reading

If God is for us, who can be against us? God did not spare his own Son. Romans 8:31b-34

The full readings for this day, from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: bible.usccb.org

What the Church teaches

A foretaste of Easter

Jesus had just told them about his Passion, and the disciples did not understand. Then he was transfigured before three witnesses.

Catechism 554

The voice and the cloud

This is how the Church understands it: the Father was present in the voice, and the Holy Spirit in the shining cloud.

Catechism 555

Abraham’s test

Abraham’s hope was fulfilled in Isaac, and it was purified by the test of the sacrifice.

Catechism 1819

To read with your children

Jesus went up a mountain with three friends. Mark 9:2

His clothes became white and shining. Mark 9:3

Moses and Elijah were talking with him. Mark 9:4

A voice told them to listen to Jesus. Mark 9:7

How can we listen to Jesus today?

To talk about as a family

  1. Peter wanted to stay on the mountain. Where do we feel close to God?
  2. The voice asked us to listen to Jesus. When do we have some quiet time to listen to him?
  3. For the child: what do you think Peter, James, and John saw?

This week

This week, find a few minutes of silence together each day, without screens, to listen to Jesus.

To pray

Good Father, you tell us that Jesus is your beloved Son. Help us to listen to him and to follow him all the way to Easter. Amen.

Who is in it?