SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, CYCLE B
First reading: from the Book of Genesis (22:1-2,9-13,15-18). This reading presents us with the story of the sacrifice of Isaac, Abraham’s only son, whom God asks to offer him as a burnt offering. It is a test of faith and obedience, which Abraham overcomes with trust and generosity. God rewards him with a great blessing and a promise of numerous and blessed descendants. This reading invites us to reflect on our own faith and our willingness to follow God’s will, even when we do not understand it or find it difficult.
Psalm 115:10,15,15,16-17,18-19. The psalm is a thanksgiving of a faithful person who has been delivered from death by the Lord. He expresses his gratitude and his commitment to serve God and to fulfill his vows in the presence of all the people. The psalm encourages us to recognize God’s benefits to us and to offer him our life as a sacrifice of praise.
Second reading: from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans (8:31b-34). This reading shows us the certainty of the victory of Christians over every adversity, thanks to the love of God manifested in Christ. If God is with us, who will be against us? If God has given us his Son, how can he not give us everything else? If God justifies us, who will condemn us? If Christ died and rose for us, who can separate us from his love? This reading strengthens us in our hope and trust in God, who loves and saves us.
Gospel: according to St. Mark (9:2-10). This reading narrates the episode of the transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor, before three of his disciples: Peter, James and John. Jesus appears glorious, clothed in white robes and surrounded by Moses and Elijah, who represent the law and the prophets. A voice from heaven proclaims that Jesus is the beloved Son of God and must be heard. The disciples are astonished and terrified, and remain silent until Jesus rises from the dead. This reading reveals to us the identity and mission of Jesus, the suffering and glorious Messiah, and invites us to follow and listen to him.
A new day begins and we wake up at dawn to listen and contemplate, both attitudes are fundamental to approach God and his will. Listening implies being attentive, receptive and willing to obey. Contemplating implies admiring, thanking and praising. Both attitudes help us to enter into communion with God and with others.
Listen
Today’s Gospel places us on Mount Tabor, the place where Jesus is transfigured before Peter, John and James. Let us contemplate this passage welcoming the depth of the experience of which God makes us witnesses; his clothes were glistening, very white as snow (Mk 9:4), Moses and Elijah appeared (Mk 9:4), a cloud covered them and from heaven a voice was heard saying. «This is my beloved Son, listen to him» (Mk 9:7b).
Contemplate
We continue the Lenten climb and the opportunity to allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit into the desert and accompany the Lord to a solitary place remains vital in today’s liturgy of the 2nd Sunday of Lent. Let us look at the text from four keys that will help for reflection:
1) Willingness to go up. The text begins by alluding to the ascent of the mountain where Jesus takes three of his friends (Peter, James and John). Like the disciples, it is important to make this route of ascent, because when we prepare ourselves for the journey we encounter the fatigue of daily life, where the need to return, to do penance, to listen to the pain of the heart that lives on spiritual rents is revealed. It is important to go up because the call to conversion is made to us by the Lord walking with us, being, working and listening in our daily life.
2) We are not alone as in the desert, but we are accompanied by Jesus and our brothers and sisters, because conversion arises from the encounter with others. To review the relationships with oneself, with God, with nature, with the neighbor, is the secret, because in that daily exchange Love and the firm purpose of serving the Lord is manifested.
3) Jesus also sets out on this journey because he needs to be reunited with his Father and with himself. On Mount Tabor, Jesus receives the confirmation of his Mission; not only does he see Elijah (the Prophets) and Moses (the Law), but he hears the voice of his Father who envelops him and gives him a foretaste of the glory and the cross.
4) This is my son, listen to him! The transfiguration is a gift for the believer, because we do not walk blindly but we know well what is the destination of our conversion process: the experience of the encounter with the glorious Jesus, who looks at us with love and consoles us, dispels our doubts, fears and disappointments. He shows us his shining face, which anticipates the glory of the resurrection and eternal life. He invites us to listen to his voice, which reveals his will and his word.
Invitation.
Pope Francis said, «the culmination is not only to attain the grace of forgiveness and the experience of the Father’s love, Lent also allows us to forge the will to put the means to keep the heart centered for inclined to sin we will always be, but we can choose to stay with HIM.» We ask ourselves:
- How is your relationship with yourself, with others, with God, with creation?
- What did Jesus need to hear according to today’s Gospel? What could Elijah and Moses have said to him?
- What does the Father want you to hear from Jesus?
Intention.
Let us ask the Lord that we may continue on the path of conversion.
S. Mariulis Grehan, tc