Touch that Fear Away: The Second Sunday in Lent 2026

                                                        Touch that Fear Away:

The Second Sunday in Lent 2026 

March 1, 2026

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Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 33; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-9

 

We hear the Transfiguration account early in Lent even though it was one of the final episodes in the life of Jesus before he turned his attention to Jerusalem. The disciples had been progressively learning about his mission and they were brought into the inner circle of revelation on that mountain. For years, the disciples recognized Jesus as an interpreter and amender of God’s law and he spoke prophetic words in difficult situations. On this mountain, Jesus appears before Moses, the lawgiver, and Eliah, the great prophet, and God’s glory shines on the three of them. Then Moses and Elijah disappear, leaving only Jesus, who is elevated to be higher than the other two. Without any doubt, Peter, James, and John would rightly have been scared to death.  

 

The disciples fall in fear, and here is an amazing detail, “Jesus touches them.” It shows us that the glorified Christ is not distant or otherworldly. He remains involved. He remains interested in their lives. He remains connected to their humanity. He never ceases to be a human with great emotions and feelings. He calls them to something greater. He says, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” His consoling touch reassures them that they matter to him and he wants them to walk with him as be endures his Passion. 

 

The touch is also combined with the words of God, the Creator, who says, “This is my special one. Listen to him.” It tells us that we are to hear his words and then comply with his invitations and requests. We often do not like the words “to obey,” so maybe we can update them to observe, conform, abide by, defer to, or follow. Notice that Jesus never tells us to worship him. We do not feel simply inspired by him or to admire him. We conform our lives to his own. He never says, “Adore me.” He asks us to listen to his words and rightly act upon them. That is obedience. 

 

So what are the words we are to hear from him today? Do not be afraid. He knows that fear is not faith. Fear keeps us bound to ourselves and wrapped up in our own interpretations of suffering. Fear keeps us looking at our uncertainty or lack of control or power. Fear shrinks when trust grows. The disciples have to walk back down that mountain where they will enter further misunderstanding and suffering and they will eventually have to face the cross. They glimpsed the glory of Jesus, which will help them confront the brutality of the cross. They were asked to rise and go forward. 

We are to follow the example of the disciples as we rise in the face of fear and go onward. We can realize that we are not alone in our trials and tribulations. In the age of the Resurrection, the glorified Christ remains close and wants to touch our pain and suffering and to share our joys and laughter. The glory of Christ is there for our benefit and encouragement. It is the hope to go on for another day knowing that the voice from heaven, the touch of Jesus is one of loving concern. Likewise, we may not be able to see what others see about us. We may not see that our lives testify to the Transfigured one. We may not see that our lives are ones of fidelity when we accept the invitations of God. We may not be able to see what others see – that we are radiant - shining like the sun. 

 

Scripture for Daily Mass

Monday: (Daniel 9) We have rebelled against you God and sinned, but you have remained faithful to us in the covenant. You, O Lord, have justice on your side. 

 

Tuesday: (Isaiah 1) Wash yourselves clean and make justice your aim. Obey the commandments and take care of your neighbor.

 

Wednesday: (Jeremiah 18) The people of Judah contrived against Jeremiah to destroy him by his own words.

 

Thursday: (Jeremiah 17) Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings. More tortuous than all else is the human heart. The Lord alone probes the mind and tests the heart.  

 

Friday: (Genesis 37) Israel loved Joseph best of all, which created resentment among his brothers, who later sold him into slavery for twenty pieces of silver. 

 

Saturday: (Micah 7) God removes guilt and pardons sins and does not persist in anger. 

 

Gospel: 

Monday: (Luke 6) Jesus said, “Be merciful,” and “Stop judging because you will be judged by the way you judge.”

 

Tuesday: (Matthew 23) The scribes and Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Be wary of someone’s teaching if they have no integrity between their words and actions. 

 

Wednesday: (Matthew 20) As Jesus went up to Jerusalem, he told his disciples, “Behold. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests, condemned to death, handed over to Gentiles, an crucified, and will be raised on the third day.”

 

Thursday: (Luke 16) A rich man dressed in purple garments died shortly after Lazarus, a beggar. In heaven, Lazarus was rewarded and the rich man was tormented in hell. He appealed to God to spare his family, but was told that they would not listen to Moses or to anyone who was raised from the dead.

 

Friday: (Matthew 21) Jesus told the parable of a vineyard owner, who entrusted the land to servants, but these men seized the land and possessed it. They killed the servants and the heir. When the owner returned, he cast the wretched men into a tormented death. 

 

Saturday: (Luke 15) Jesus is accused of welcoming sinners and eats with them. He then tells the story of the prodigal one who was well received by his father upon his return. The one who was lost has been found. 

 

Saints of the Week

 

March 1: Katherine Drexel (1858-1955), was from a wealthy Philadelphian banking family and she and her two sisters inherited a great sum of money when her parents died. She joined the Sisters of Mercy and wanted to found her own order called the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to work among the African and Native Americans. Her inheritance funded schools and missions throughout the South and on reservations. A heart attack in 1935 sent her into retirement. 

 

March 7: Perpetua and Felicity (d. 203), were two catechumens arrest and killed during a persecution in North Africa. Perpetua was a young noblewoman who was killed alongside her husband, their young son, and their pregnant slave, Felicity. They were baptized while under arrest and would not renounce their faith. Felicity was excused from death because it was unlawful to kill a pregnant woman, but she gave birth prematurely three days before the planned execution. They were flogged, taunted by wild beasts, and then beheaded. They appear in the First Eucharistic Prayer. 

 

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• March 1, 1549. At Gandia, the opening of a college of the Society founded by St Francis Borgia. 
• March 2, 1606. The martyrdom in the Tower of London of St Nicholas Owen, a brother nicknamed "Little John." For 26 years he constructed hiding places for priests in homes throughout England. Despite severe torture he never revealed the location of these safe places. 
• March 3, 1595. Clement VIII raised Fr. Robert Bellarmine to the Cardinalate, saying that the Church had not his equal in learning. 
• March 4, 1873. At Rome, the government officials presented themselves at the Professed House of the Gesu for the purpose of appropriating the greater part of the building. 
• March 5, 1887. At Rome, the obsequies of Fr. Beckx who died on the previous day. He was 91 years of age and had governed the Society as General for 34 years. He is buried at San Lorenzo in Campo Verano. 
• March 6, 1643. Arnauld, the Jansenist, published his famous tract against Frequent Communion. Fifteen French bishops gave it their approval, whereas the Jesuit fathers at once exposed the dangers in it. 
• March 7, 1581. The Fifth General Congregation of the Society bound the professors of the Society to adhere to the doctrine of St Thomas Aquinas.