2nd Sunday of Lent - Year B

2nd Sunday of Lent - Year B

God's word in our first reading brings us back to the story of Abraham, our Father of Faith.  Abraham is the bridge for the three major religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam.  When there is divisiveness, we can always look to Abraham as a peacemaker.  

Most of us are familiar with the testing of Abraham.  Abraham and Sarah always wanted to have descendants.  Just as God makes a covenant with Noah (bow in the clouds), God makes a covenant and promise with Abraham.  The covenant with Abraham is numerous descendants like the stars in the sky and sands on the shore.  But after having his first son, Isaac, God wants Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice.  God says: "take your son, Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah.  There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you."

Although Abraham was quite resourceful, he valued most in having descendants.  For Abraham, Isaac was priceless.  But God tests Abraham to see if he could let that go as well.  God is saying to Abraham: Do you trust me?  Do you love me more above everything else.  Abraham demonstrates his love for God.  God stops Abraham from sacrificing Isaac and says: "do not do the least thing to him.  I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son."  

It may seem cruel that God asks Abraham to do such thing.  But God would not ask others to do something if God were not willing to do it as well.  God's word through St Paul says that God did not spare his only Son.  God spared Abraham's son, Isaac.  But God did not spare the Christ.  You can imagine how difficult it was for Abraham to bring Isaac to Mt Moriah.  It would be just as difficult if not more for God.  That is why on Good Friday, at the Divine Mercy Hour, when Christ breathe his last, the earth shook, there was an eclipse of the sun, lighting and clouds appeared in the early afternoon.  One of the Roman Soldiers witnessed this event said: "Truly this man is the Son of God."

Transfiguration.

God's word today in the Gospel is also another story on a mountain (Mt Tabor).  On this mountain, Christ was transfigured before the three Apostles.  St Mark tried his best to describe Christ in his glory.  Christ wore clothes so dazzling white that no bleach could make it any whiter.  

Sts Peter, James and John also saw the two great heroes of the Old Covenant standing next to Christ: Elijah and Moses.  The Apostles have heard about them, but now they get to see them for real, and they are alive.  We have to ask why these two, and why not Abraham, or one of the other prophets?  

Then the Apostles heard the voice from the cloud.  It is the Heavenly Father's voice.  "This is my beloved Son.  Listen to him!"  

This event is so spectacular that the Apostles wanted to stay there.  "Let us build three tents..."  

St Peter sometimes speaks without reflecting upon the impact of his words.  Like the one time (Caesarea Philippi) he tries to prevent Christ from going to Jerusalem.  In other words, St Peter is saying: "it's great that you're going to be the Messiah, but let me show you how you should be the Messiah."  St Peter will do anything to avoid the cross.  But the Lord will put him in his place.  "Get behind me...for you are thinking not as God does but as humans do."  

Let us build three tents...The apostles wanted to stay on the mountain top, but they have to descend back to city life.  In other words, there is Ora et Labora (pray and work).  It's good balance to have both prayer and work.  In the midst of work throughout the week, it's fruitful to make time for prayer.  And likewise, after prayer, to work so as to remain productive and grow in humility.  Whenever there is struggle, it's always helpful to look back in time and see God's active presence.  But also to see God's continued presence in daily activities.  For instance, even for married couples who struggle, they can look back to the days of glory when they were at the altar exchanging their vows.  God is always present in the glory as in dark times.  This time of Lent is a call to return to God, and to be reminded of God's active presence.  God bless you!