Second Sunday of Lent
I have some serious questions for us to think about this week. The first question is, “How deep do you think your relationship with God is?” Let me put this question in other words: “Could God take you for granted?” Now I want you to think about the most precious thing in your life – your marriage, your children, your job, your health, your entire life’s savings. And now think if God said to you what God said to Abraham – “Sacrifice what is most precious to you for my sake” – what would you do? Once God put claim on what is most precious to you, will that change how you feel about God?
I am wondering if we now have a better insight into Abraham’s dilemma.
The first reading 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 certain kind of relationship for God to demand Abraham his only son. It took a certain kind 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 descendants. It was crucial, then, for God’s sake and Abraham’s sake that God could take Abraham for granted. 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 his precious and only son 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 precious son, in this story God sacrifices his only beloved 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, to examine the depth of our relationship with God. The question that is being posed to us is, “what is the threshold of our relationship with God?” 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? If we lost that one precious thing, what would it do to our faith? In many ways it is difficult to know our answer till it happens to us. But we do not have to lose the most precious thing to know the depth of our faith. Small things are also indicators of the depth of our relationship with God. For example, how much time do we give to God in deep prayer? How does our faith get translated into giving of our self to others? What demands to do we make on ourselves because 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.
- Fr. Satish Joseph