2nd Sunday of Lent
In the first Reading this Sunday God tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice Isaac, his beloved son. At the moment of sacrifice, an angel stopped him, providing a ram instead. Abraham’s obedience led to God’s promise of countless descendants and blessings for all nations. The responsorial Psalm tells us that Despite despair, we recognize that the Lord values His faithful. Freed from our burdens, we offer thanks and fulfil our vows publicly, choosing to dwell in God’s presence. The second reading tells us that If God is for us, no one can oppose us. He gave His Son for us and will freely give us all things. God declares us righteous, and Christ intercedes for us, ensuring no condemnation. In the Gospel reading we hear about the transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus, accompanied by Peter, James, and John, underwent a miraculous transformation on a secluded mountain, where his appearance became dazzlingly white. There, Elijah and Moses appeared and conversed with Him.
Overcome by the moment, Peter suggested building shelters for them and we hear the voice of the father identifying Jesus as “my beloved Son.” the God who speaks to the disciples on the mountain directs all of us to Jesus and tells us, “Listen to him”. Our journey during lent is a journey of listening to scripture as the readings tell the story of faith. Mountains were always seen places of retreat and encounter with the divine. Moses and Elijah are no strangers to mountain encounters with God. They met God on the mountain, but struggled to make God’s plan a reality back down among the people. Moses, the lawgiver and Elijah, the prophet, symbolized the rich religious tradition of the Jewish people. It is Through them, that tradition is in dialogue with Jesus. The voice from the cloud identifies Jesus as “my beloved Son.” Jesus invites all of us to make a journey throughout our lives. Our faith should be an exciting journey from birth right until we get to the pearly gates when we die. During Lent Repent, and believe the Good News is our call to take up the spiritual journey as we explore the great depths of God’s love for us as we climb the mountain of the Lord.
We, like the disciples, periodically need to go to a quiet place, our own private “mountain top.” There we find some quiet time to listen to Jesus through his Word. We could do that by ourselves, by setting aside a few minutes each day to read and meditate on the scriptures. The god who speaks to us through the scriptures directs all of us to Jesus that same voice of God who spoke to the apostles on the mountain also instructs us to “listen to him” may we listen to what he is saying to us in the quietness and not be afraid to do what he asks of us this Lent. Then we will be more able to enter fully into the great events of Holy week and Easter when they come around in a few short weeks refreshed and renewed by our Lenten journey.
Fullerton T 