First Reading
Genesis 12:1-4a

1. What was Abram’s response to God’s request? Does this incident relate to your Lenten experience in any way? How? God called Abram out of his homeland to start something new. Does God sometimes call you out of your comfort zone or your favorite chair to start something new?

2. God gives Abram a unique blessing at the start of Abram’s journey. What would be a “blessing” for you? For whom are you a “blessing” from God?

Second Reading
2 Timothy 1:8b-10

1. Are we all baptized as missionary disciples to become a living Gospel in the world? Will that involve some hardship? What does Paul’s letter to Timothy say about this? Will it involve some joy?
                                      
2. In this reading which does St. Paul specify that saves us: grace and/or our work? Could it be that both count? Notice where he says, “bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.”

Gospel
Matthew 17:1-9

1. In his transfiguration, Jesus invited three of his disciples to watch him. Do you ask yourself each night when you saw Jesus during the day?
                                                  
2. We all need to go up the mountain to a place of silence so we can better hear the voice of God. At least so says Pope Francis. Why can’t we just stay there praying?

But we cannot stay there! Encounter with God in prayer inspires us anew to “descend the mountain” and return to the plain where we meet many brothers weighed down by fatigue, sickness, injustice, ignorance, poverty both material and spiritual. To these brothers [and sisters] in difficulty we are called to bear the fruit of that experience with God, by sharing the grace we have received. And this is curious. When we hear the Word of Jesus … and carry it in our heart, this Word grows. Do you know how it grows? By giving it to the other!

Pope Francis, Angelus
March 16, 2014