25/02/2026
News
2nd Week of Lent: Transformed by Hope
2nd Week of Lent: Transformed by Hope
“Transformed by Hope” is proposed as a space of listening and discernment on the Sunday Gospels that will accompany our Lenten journey.
The initiative, promoted by the UISG Women Theologians, is situated within the horizon opened by the Jubilee and seeks to prolong its grace, continuing to live our vocation as pilgrims of hope amid the challenges of the present time.
Each week, in the light of the Word of God, we will contemplate an aspect of the conversion to which we are called, allowing ourselves to be guided by the Spirit on the journey toward Easter. It is an invitation to allow evangelical hope to shape our way of believing, of living communion, and of participating in the mission of the Church.
During the second week, the commentary on the Gospel of Matthew (17:1–9) is prepared by Sr. Thérèse Raad, sdc.
“There in their presence he was transfigured…”
There are moments of Tabor in our consecrated life. Moments when everything becomes luminous. When the face of Christ shines for us like the sun. When our vocation regains its original clarity, beauty and freshness.
Jesus takes Peter, James and John with him. He takes them aside, up a high mountain. Nothing is improvised. The Transfiguration is not a spectacle: it is a grace given in intimacy.
As consecrated women, we know what it means to be “led up a high mountain by themselves.” Our times of prayer, our retreats, our chapters, our community silences... these are the mountains where the Lord leads us to show us who He truly is — and who we are in Him.
But the Transfiguration is not only consolation. It is revelation.
Jesus' face becomes bright as the sun. His clothes, white as light. It is not another person: it is Jesus himself. The one who will walk to Jerusalem. The one who will be misunderstood. The one who will be crucified.
The light does not remove the cross. It reveals its meaning.
How many times have we wished to “set up three tents”? To fix a moment of strength, to keep a community fervent, to preserve a mission that bore fruit, to hold on to a more stable era in our congregation...
“Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here!”
Yes, it is good to be in the light. But our vocation is not to dwell on the mountain. It is to listen.
The Father's voice resounds: "This is my Son, the Beloved… listen to him".
Listen to him... In our governmental decisions, in our apostolic choices, in our community tensions, in our declining numbers, in the new calls of the synodal Church. Listen to him.
Our fruitfulness does not come from our strategies, but from our ability to listen to the beloved Son.
“The disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear.”
The experience of God is unsettling. It brings us to our knees. It reminds us that we are not in control.
Then Jesus approached them. He touched them. ‘Stand up, do not be afraid.’
This gesture always moves me deeply. Christ does not leave his disciples crushed by fear. He lifts them up.
How many sisters today need to be lifted up? Lifted up from fatigue, discouragement, loss of meaning, conflicts, restructuring, personal fragility...
What if our first mission were to become, for one another, this gesture of Christ?
“And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus.”
In the end, only He remains.
Neither Moses, nor Elijah, nor the securities of the past, nor institutional certainties.
Only Him.
Perhaps this is the heart of consecrated maturity: consenting to everything being simplified until only Jesus remains.
And then comes the descent from the mountain.
We do not remain in the light. We descend towards the plain, towards the sick, towards the crowds, towards incomprehension... towards the cross.
Our consecrated life is this ongoing movement:
Going up to contemplate.
Going down to serve.
Listening to discern.
Receiving light to walk through darkness.
In a fragmented world, in a Church undergoing transformation, in congregations called to reinvent themselves, the Transfiguration reminds us of this: Our future does not depend on our strength.
It depends on our ability to listen to the Beloved Son.
And when fear grips us, when uncertainty brings us to our knees, let us remember: He draws near, he touches us, and he says to us again today: ‘Stand up, do not be afraid.’
May this Word become, for each of us, a light to continue on our journey.
07/03/2026
Catherine Fontanazza
God bless the people in the war torn regions of our earth and bless all who are doing what they can to alleviate the suffering.
06/03/2026
Mary
Thank you
06/03/2026
Rosemary Kasembe
LETS ALL STAND UP FOR JESUS and thank you very much for the powerful message
06/03/2026
Norma Burgos Paredes
Gracias por esta reflexion que ayuda a profundizar y anima el caminar
06/03/2026
Sophie Frank
It is evident that when God has a purpose, He ensures that it is fulfilled in accordance with His plan. He is willing to allow events to unfold, irrespective of the difficulties that may be encountered. It is acknowledged that individuals may offer various rationalisations and justifications, yet God's selection of the individual and the subsequent provision of the opportunity to fulfil the purpose remains a fundamental aspect of the divine plan.
05/03/2026
Hannah O'Donoghue
Wonderful reminder of God’s presence
05/03/2026
Eilís Coe
I love the photo and the sentiments expressed in this article.
05/03/2026
ROSILY THOTTIAN INASU
A very inspiring and thought provoking Gospel reflection! Thank you very for the initiative of UISG and for sharing.
04/03/2026
Daphrose Kiraniguye
Une meditation bien inspiree. Elle eclaire notre vie religieuse. Elle redonne force et perseverance. Bon quareme.
04/03/2026
Sr. Loretta Walsh
We cannot stay on the mountain, as much as we would like to. We are call to go down into the market place to minister to God's suffering poor people. Lord give me the strength I need to be there for those I am called to serve. We are call to see and listen to Jesus as the scripture says, "They saw only Jesus". Jesus is the only one who gives purpose and meaning to my life. He will now leave me alone but walks with me though the ups and downs of life. Thank you for a very meaningful reflection.
03/03/2026
Maria Clarita Solano
GRACIAS,POR ESE TEMA TAN PROFUNDO,lo he asado por una emisora local de Marquetalia CALDAS Dios nos siga transfigurado.
03/03/2026
MARIA CLARITA SOLANO V.
ESTA MUY PRIFUNDI EL CONTENIDI. GRACIAS.
03/03/2026
Josefa
Gracias
02/03/2026
Elsa Gómez GAlindo
Muchas gracias por estas reflexiones que nos ayudan a vivir en el amor y en la escucha. H. Elsa Gómez.
02/03/2026
Prof. Sr. Dr. Shruti Joseph, SND
Wonderful sharing of the Gospel reflection, inspiring, as i a professor in an ecumenical college i can use this reflection with my students.
01/03/2026
Cristina Fusini
Grazie
01/03/2026
Gabriela Andretta
Este comentario es una realidad que vivimos pero Cristo nos apremia Con su amor y su gracia. Muy linda e concreta gracias
01/03/2026
Yolanda
Thanks for sharing. Having Scripture commented as Religious is beautiful and needed.
01/03/2026
jeena michael
Thank you very much for the inspiring gospel reflection. I am really inspired and nourished by this practical and which is connected to our religious life.
01/03/2026
Martha Franco
Y al final sólo queda Él Él es nuestra fuerza para subir Él es nuestro ejemplo para servir Él nos motiva a escuchar Y nos a campaña al caminar. Sólo Él Muchas gracias
28/02/2026
judita marku
Grazie mille!
28/02/2026
Nuala Mulleady
I really appreciate those reflections and my hope is that they will continue during the year. Blessings on you all!
28/02/2026
Meera Plathottam
Thank you Sr. Therese. Your commentery touched me deeply. You offer deep insights very simply.
28/02/2026
Aurora Torres Hernández
Muchas gracias por ayudarnos a mantener viva la esperanza
28/02/2026
Ramona Ramírez
Gracias por tan hermosa reflexión
27/02/2026
Sr. Theresa
Thank you for your reflection 🙏 sisters
27/02/2026
Imelda layden
Thank you, to our Sisters who came together to share their joy and hope with us all In this 2nt Week of Lent , entitled 'Transformed by Hope' . I am thankful for having been born on this Feastday the 6th August and I feel having pondered over Reflection Above on this sunny morning in Ireland , I share my joy and hope with you all. .
27/02/2026
María Teresa Núñez Villanueva
Jesús en su vida ha mostrado su docilidad a la voluntad del Padre. Que en nuestras vidas también se de ese tiempo y espacio para que Dios nos transforme desde el interior y seamos luz en los momentos de cruz.
27/02/2026
SR Ascenza Tizzano
I am very grateful to have this opportunity to reflect on these Gospel reflections. Looking forward to receiving them each week.
27/02/2026
Cristina
Muchas gracias. Un abrazo fraterno
27/02/2026
Caprini ines
Meraviglioso è proprio la nostra realtà grazie
27/02/2026
Eva Luz Marquez
Saludos..muy hermosa la reflexion ..Esta muy acorde con lo que vivimos como Consagradas
26/02/2026
Rachelle Watier
Merci pour ce magnifique texte. Texte puissant!!!! Powerful text. Thank you so much
26/02/2026
Ana María Villares Alonso
Gracias porque m ayuda a confiar y fiarme de Él.
26/02/2026
Nellie Margate
beautiful reflection especially at this time of many challenges: aging & declining members of our community. We are called to keep on listening to Him and serve the people whom He entrusted to us...
26/02/2026
Blanca Olivia Olivar
Es un tema importante para este tiempo de cuaresma y que me ayudara a adentrarme en esa promesa hecha por Dios quien abre su corazon entra a morar.
26/02/2026
Lydia May Oo
Thank you so much, it is very meaningful reflecion for my life.
26/02/2026
Elisa Fancinelli
Interpretazione della Parola molto positiva. Grazie. Ascoltare la Parola con orecchi liberi da ogni cerume Guardare con gli occhi di Dio per vedere Amare come Dio ci ama, essere e vivere nell'amore che supera ogni notte umana trasformandola in energia di Dio.
26/02/2026
Sœur Jeanne Françoise / Sœurs franciscaines
Merci pour ce commentaire. C'est vraiment riche. Vraiment nous pouvons croire que Dieu nous précède toujours. Bonne route de carême sr Jeanne Françoise
26/02/2026
D. Viveka, rscj
Thank you for tthis inspiring reflection leading us to TRANSFIGURATION just like Moses, whose face shone when he descended from his meeting with God on the mountain. May we be worthy of this precious grace as we approach the Second Sunday of LENT, 2026
26/02/2026
Sr. Angela Bianchet PAJC
Grazie per la bella meditazione di Sr. Thérèse Raad.
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08/03/2026
MARIA ELENA TORRES NOA
Gracias por la misión de ahondar el evangelio, me ha ayudado mucho