March 17, 2019

2nd Sunday of Lent
Genesis 15: 5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 9: 28-36
Happy St. Patrick’s Day and Second Sunday of Lent. How is it going so far with your plans and
resolutions? I believe that it is better to observe Lent one day at a time, because each day is a new day
discovering that God is with us and loves us intensely and unconditionally.
Today’s readings present three situations of believing people who are experiencing doubt, hardships and
confusion: Abraham, Paul and the Philippi community and the disciples at the Transfiguration of Jesus.
I can identify with all of them. I find myself becoming so busy and caught up in work and surrounded
by disruptions all around me that I focus on maintaining a balance in my daily and spiritual life. The
inherent danger in this is that I tend to feel that I am in control. I fail to quiet myself down to hear God’s
word of pledge and promise that He is always with me, leading me closer to Himself. I also miss His
daily blessings and my responses of gratitude that grow me closer to the Lord.
In the previous chapters, God had blessed Abraham considerably and protected him in Egypt. In spite of
this Abraham was depressed: “O Lord God, what good will your gifts be, if I keep on being childless…see you
have given me no offspring, and so one of my servants will be my heir.” (Genesis 15: 2-4) God said that would not
be the case and gave today’s opening lines: “The Lord God took Abram outside and said, ‘Look up at the sky
and count the stars, if you can. Just so shall your descendants be.” (Genesis 15: 5) Abraham believes but still
harbors doubts on converging Canaan because of the tribes occupying that land. To calm Abraham’s
fears, God turns to the ritual of covenant. This might seem strange to us, but it was a fairly common
practice in the ancient world involving placing portions of slaughtered animals opposite each other.
People would then walk through the middle of the divided animals to show how seriously they were in
keeping this covenant. If they violated any part of the agreement they would run the risk of being
slaughtered like the animals. In this case, the smoking fire pot and a flaming torch represents God
taking an oath and sealing the covenant. Abraham hears God’s promise…God continues to make the
same promise to us. The very last words in Matthew’s gospel: “The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the
mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw Him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus
approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.’”
How can I continue to doubt that God is not with me? This is His promise. God never lies. Help me
Lord.
Paul is offering his own spiritual journey as a model for the people of Philippi to follow and for each of
us. The thought comes to mind that Paul is being very boastful, but this was an effective tool for
teaching in the Greco-Roman world. Paul is writing from prison. This certainly isn’t a pleasant place to
be and Paul knows that he will be facing death. He has put aside all his worldly interests to live a life
centered on Jesus. This wasn’t an arrogant statement rather it was a humble simple statement saying
that Jesus suffered and died for me to save me and show God’s love for me, can’t I do the same in my
world which is totally concerned with self and not wanting to be loving, caring, forgiving, merciful
followers of Jesus? By suffering, Paul and each of us share in the suffering of Christ crucified. When
we live this way we really are confirming the fact that we will receive glory from God, forever in
Heaven….God’s promise!
Thus far in the gospel of Luke, the question that has been emerging is ‘Who is Jesus?’ As chapter 9
opens we hear, “Herod, the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because
some were saying, ‘John has been raised from the dead’; others were saying, ‘Elijah has appeared’; still others,
‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’ But Herod said, ‘John I beheaded. Who is this about whom I hear such
things?’ And he kept trying to see Him.’”(Luke 9: 7-9) What follows is the feeding of the five thousand at
Bethsaida; Peter’s response to Jesus’ question, ‘You are the Messiah of God’; Jesus giving His first
prediction of His passion, death and resurrection; and the conditions of discipleship, ‘If anyone wishes to
come after Me, they must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)
Peter, James and John are with Jesus at most of the key experiences in His life. In today’s scene Jesus
took them up a mountain to pray. So often Jesus is described as being in prayer before some major
event in His life. Can I be described in the same way? I’m afraid not.
The event of the Transfiguration is related very simply: “While He was praying His face changed in
appearance and His clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with Him, Moses and
Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His exodus that He was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.” There is
no explanation why Moses and Elijah are there. Perhaps Moses symbolize the Ten Commandments and
Elijah symbolize the prophets describing divine revelation to that point. Now Jesus’ transfiguration
symbolized the total fullness of God’s Plan. The pinnacle of the story is the voice of God that comes
from the cloud, “This is My chosen Son, listen to Him.” (Luke 9:35) Notice the result that follows is total
silence. It will take the remainder of the Gospel to fully comprehend the meaning of this Divine Event.
The apostles have been touched with a sight of the Divine Realm. Jesus will suffer, die and then rise in
glory. The end of the story has been revealed, but the end hasn’t arrived. So often I feel that I am
walking around in a fog, symbolized by a cloud in today’s Gospel. I can’t see ahead; I can be worried,
terrified even, am I listening to the active, positive, consistent signs from God that tell of His love and
His constant presence? I must take precious times of silence to be with my loving God. He’s with me,
with everyone; loving, caring and leading us on our journey to the Promised Land, Heaven.
So I reflect on:
• I look at experiences of God, Jesus, the Spirit that has changed my life. Have I been grateful? Have I
asked for the grace to understand these moments?
• I look at the times when I was enveloped in the clouds and fogs; how did hope and clarity come?
• When did I encounter God? How has that encounter changed me?
• Do I have a covenant with God? What is it? How often do I reflect on it? Renew it? Rejuvenate it?
Sacred Space 2019 states:
“Peter and John and James were privileged to see Jesus in His full dignity. We can see one another in the same
way, with the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. At all sacramental moments, we see those we love in their true
dignity as human beings beloved of God. The dreams for this perfect infant at baptism, the blessing with gifts at
confirmation, the beauty of forgiveness at reconciliation, the warmth of communion, the hope for healing at the
sacrament of anointing of the sick, the dignity of covenant love at matrimony, the beauty of service at ordination.
Fine clothing sometimes makes us even gasp with admiration.
When have your eyes been opened to the full dignity of another person? Recall that moment and savor it,
thanking God for the gift of His vision.”