Second Sunday of Lent

Today's Mass Readings

Just as I preached at the beginning of Lent, this year I am not focusing on just denying myself things in penance. Rather, I am really trying to imagine myself as being with Jesus in the desert and journeying with him. Having said that, I did decide to deny myself a simple pleasure. Sometimes, after a long day, I do enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with my dinner. I did not think that this amounted to much. But, last weekend was a very hectic weekend. I directed a women’s weekend retreat, said four masses, was involved with the confirmation retreat in the parish and had to work very hard for the rite of election till nine on Sunday night. After all that work, nothing sounded better than a glass of wine. I am almost embarrassed to admit that I was struggling. I even wondered for a moment if I had made the right decision by deciding to give up this simple pleasure. And you know what makes it even worse. Last Sunday was only the first Sunday of Lent. I want to compare our simple struggles of self-denial with Abraham’s story in today’s first reading. Abraham was struggling with not some petty self-denial like a glass of wine. He was struggling with his decision to sacrifice his only son Isaac.

This episode is not merely the story of God putting Abraham to the test. It is really the story of the depth of relationship God and Abraham had. I mean, it takes a intensity of relationship for God to demand Abraham his only son. It took a certain depth of relationship for Abraham to unconditionally surrender to God’s unreasonable demand. Abraham’s refusal could have jeopardized God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendents. It was crucial, then, for God’s sake and Abraham’s sake that this relationship remain intact. In the end, God did come through for Abraham. As listeners, we are relieved to know that not only was Abraham commended for his self-denial but that Isaac was spared.

The transfiguration of Jesus in today’s gospel reading must be understood in the context of relationships. On the one hand, the transfiguration reveals the depth of Jesus’ own relationship with God. On the other hand, God demands that the disciples “listen to Him.” This was the same kind of listening or relationship that Abraham had exhibited. There was just one major difference. Whereas in the earlier story God spared Abraham’s son, in this story God sacrifices his only beloved Son. In other words, whereas God spared Abraham’s son, God would not spare his own Son. St Paul emphasizes this in today’s second reading: “He who did not spare his own Son, but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?” (Rom 8:32).

Let me offer three practical implications for today.

1) Today, we are not merely being invited to examine our relationship with God, but rather, we are being asked to examine the depths of our relationship with God. Not that God asks us to sacrifice our own children. Sometimes, it is just a glass of wine. The question that is being posed to us is, “what is the threshold of our faith?” Abraham’s response shows the depth of his relationship with God. Jesus, going down the mountain to face his own death shows the depth his relationship with God and humanity. What about us? I too want to believe that I can die for Christ; that my relationship with God is deep. Although, if my life is threatened because of Christ, I honestly do not know what I will do. A good indicator, however, would be my daily life. What is the depth of my daily dying to self for the sake of Christ? Or, think of the most precious thing in your life. If you lose that one precious thing, what would it do to your faith? The answer to this question is a good indicator to the depth of our relationship with God.

2) In the context of our examining the depths of our relationship with God, “listen to him” in today’s gospel passage has a deeper meaning. I think, the voice inviting the disciples to “listen to Jesus” means more than just listening to the words that come from his mouth. It is an invitation to imitate Christ’s life. Peter wanted to make tents and stay on the top of the mountain. Jesus on the other hand, climbs down to bring divine presence to human lives. Jesus would himself listen to his Father. In self-sacrifice the Father gave his Son. Imitating the Father, Jesus gave himself. Now, the disciples must remember to “listen to Him.” I am suggesting that this week, let us listen to Christ. By this I mean let there be radical imitation of Christ. In the way we deal with those that do not like us, in the way we spend time with the Father in prayer, in the way we bring life to others, in the way we bring God to our world, in the way we die to our selves, in the way we sacrifice ourselves for others sake, let us listen to HIM.

3) In a very real sense, this Eucharist is like the Abraham’s sacrifice and the transfiguration of Jesus put together. Here on this altar, we relive God’s sacrifice of his only Son. Here on the altar we also see the glory of God in the reality of the body and blood of Christ. Here we are invited to “listen to Him.” This is our mountain of transfiguration. But we must soon go down to our homes, to work, to the people that God sends us to. Out there in the world, we must sacrifice ourselves and die to ourselves. In our dying there is salvation for us and for the world.

Let us think of this Eucharist as our transfiguration experience. God has spoken to us and soon Jesus will come to us as really he came to the Peter, James and John. But unlike the disciples, we have the great privilege of receiving Jesus and become one with him. God becomes part of our beings in a deep intimate relationship. As Jesus becomes one with us, may we become more like him. Amen.

- Fr. Satish Joseph