Today’s Message: 2nd Sunday of Lent A
Genesis 12:1-4; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-9
Now what would our response have been if:
-- Abraham told everyone to pack up their bags and we are moving to a special place. Where we were was special: The crops were growing, the livestock were thriving, the place was a prime bit of property. Why move, Abraham? Everything is great here …why travel to a place we don’t know? The tribes there may be hostile and the land may not produce … why move? Everyone likes it here! And Abraham said, "Have faith: God is telling us to go!"
-- Or how would we respond to Paul, who is advising Timothy ... along with us ... that we're going to face intolerable levels of hardship and probably depression because of our trials? This is a little bit much … I don’t know if I will be up to it ... is God really calling us to hardships? How do I know that God will be with me? Look what they did to Jesus.
-- Or, how would we respond to Jesus if we were up on the mountain that day and saw Him with all His glory transfigured before the three apostles and us ... then telling us don’t talk about this, keep it quiet … you'll know what it means when I’m raised from the dead. What is this about dying? You’ve said this before, adding that you will suffer and be killed. What are we to do? We followed you everywhere, but when you die and leave us, we'll be alone and won’t know what to do!
The first Sunday in Lent brought us past the point of what we have planned to do … what we are giving up … and these readings today describe divine calls … incredible visions … the Holy Spirit’s quiet whisper. We have become privy to the unbelievable plan of God to save each one of us and, in the process, we catch a glimpse of God’s glory.
In the first reading from Genesis we discover that a big change has come about: Previously the people have not listened to God (Noah being the one exception). They thought only of their own safety and were promoting the building of a city to maintain security for the community.
Today we hear of Abram who is learning that the most reliable way to gain greatness is to listen to God. The main ingredient is that he has to trust God. Today it means he has to pack up and move beyond his homeland to a place God directs him. Who likes to move? We like comfort and security. We like to be safe, we don’t really like surprises. Now Abram’s father Terah received a challenge from God but seemingly didn’t trust God enough to let go of his limited view of things (Genesis 11:24-32). He started the gesture of moving but got no farther than Haran, north of Canaan. Abram listened to God first and then, in faith, followed the Lord’s plan. This initiated a long-term relationship between God and His chosen people, bringing the people back to the harmonious relationship they originally enjoyed with God in the Garden.
In the verses previous to today’s reading, Paul is reminding Timothy that he has received a special gift from God: “… I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7.) He has received a calling -- a commission to teach the Christian message in its entirety. This will bring difficulties, but be strong. It will work, because it is God’s plan. Just as Abram realized that God’s plan was to form a chosen people, eventually revealing God’s promised Son -- sent to tell us that God just plain loves us. Do we love God enough to trust in Him and believe in His ways? It is possible because He is gracing us, filling us with His power to be people of love, to be Jesus’ people by the way we live, act and love.
Today's Gospel is a vision that has been recounted to Matthew by either Peter, James or John, or all three. Now we have to keep in mind that visions raise as many questions as they provide answers. This whole event is told in a minimum of words ... just eight verses. Three of the four apostles who accompany Jesus at many key events are present: Peter, James and John. In both the Old and New Testaments, mountains are traditionally the locations of divine revelations. Today Jesus is transfigured, which is described as assuming the form of a very bright, white light. Jesus has become radically changed, something the apostles have never seen before. And He is in conversation with Moses and Elijah, who mysteriously appear. Moses represents the Torah -- the Law -- while Elijah represents the prophets: the totality of divine revelation. Peter thinks that this somehow represents the Feast of Booths or Tabernacle. This is one of the three special feasts filled with thanksgiving for the gifts God has given. It reminds the people of the time in the desert when they lived in tents, or booths, while awaiting God’s revelations through Moses. Peter is wrong again, being interrupted by the high point of the vision: the voice that comes from the cloud which reveals the true identity of Jesus: God’s beloved Son. He is to be listened to. The apostles are terrified. Jesus touches them and tells them, “Rise, and do not be afraid” -- the most frequent phrase in the Old and New Testaments, appearing 365 times. Is there any wonder that this is also the number of days in a year? Is the message that I turn to God each day … He will be an answer to my fears and worries, and His plan brings salvation to the world? The constant message through today's readings and all of scripture is that God never abandons us. There is no reason to be afraid. He has promised eternal life to all. Can we bring our doubts and troubles to Him to have Him help us carry our crosses?
A Reflection from New Sundays and Holy Day Liturgies:
The Gospels show clearly that Peter was a man of action;
he always needed to be doing something.
So on Mount Tabor, instead of contemplating in silence and wonder
the glory of His Lord, he wanted to build three tents.
There is a time for stillness for contemplation, for wonder,
for adoration in the presence of God.
A time to heed the words of the psalmist: "Be still, and know that I am God."
Sometimes we are too busy. We would be better to be silent,
to be listening, to be wondering, to be adoring in the presence of God.
So we reflect on:
“The disciples see Jesus revealed in all His divine glory. It is a special moment for them, as Peter confirms: 'It is good for us to be here.’ The voice of God the Father resounding from the cloud has an important message to convey to the disciples and us: ‘Listen to Him.' A listening heart is a heart warmed by the love of God and taught by His words. The one we listen to is the Son of God: Jesus, transfigured in His humanity.
"Prayer is better described as listening than speaking. Spend some time in prayer just listening to the mood of love and peace in God’s presence.”
Now what would our response have been if:
-- Abraham told everyone to pack up their bags and we are moving to a special place. Where we were was special: The crops were growing, the livestock were thriving, the place was a prime bit of property. Why move, Abraham? Everything is great here …why travel to a place we don’t know? The tribes there may be hostile and the land may not produce … why move? Everyone likes it here! And Abraham said, "Have faith: God is telling us to go!"
-- Or how would we respond to Paul, who is advising Timothy ... along with us ... that we're going to face intolerable levels of hardship and probably depression because of our trials? This is a little bit much … I don’t know if I will be up to it ... is God really calling us to hardships? How do I know that God will be with me? Look what they did to Jesus.
-- Or, how would we respond to Jesus if we were up on the mountain that day and saw Him with all His glory transfigured before the three apostles and us ... then telling us don’t talk about this, keep it quiet … you'll know what it means when I’m raised from the dead. What is this about dying? You’ve said this before, adding that you will suffer and be killed. What are we to do? We followed you everywhere, but when you die and leave us, we'll be alone and won’t know what to do!
The first Sunday in Lent brought us past the point of what we have planned to do … what we are giving up … and these readings today describe divine calls … incredible visions … the Holy Spirit’s quiet whisper. We have become privy to the unbelievable plan of God to save each one of us and, in the process, we catch a glimpse of God’s glory.
In the first reading from Genesis we discover that a big change has come about: Previously the people have not listened to God (Noah being the one exception). They thought only of their own safety and were promoting the building of a city to maintain security for the community.
Today we hear of Abram who is learning that the most reliable way to gain greatness is to listen to God. The main ingredient is that he has to trust God. Today it means he has to pack up and move beyond his homeland to a place God directs him. Who likes to move? We like comfort and security. We like to be safe, we don’t really like surprises. Now Abram’s father Terah received a challenge from God but seemingly didn’t trust God enough to let go of his limited view of things (Genesis 11:24-32). He started the gesture of moving but got no farther than Haran, north of Canaan. Abram listened to God first and then, in faith, followed the Lord’s plan. This initiated a long-term relationship between God and His chosen people, bringing the people back to the harmonious relationship they originally enjoyed with God in the Garden.
In the verses previous to today’s reading, Paul is reminding Timothy that he has received a special gift from God: “… I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7.) He has received a calling -- a commission to teach the Christian message in its entirety. This will bring difficulties, but be strong. It will work, because it is God’s plan. Just as Abram realized that God’s plan was to form a chosen people, eventually revealing God’s promised Son -- sent to tell us that God just plain loves us. Do we love God enough to trust in Him and believe in His ways? It is possible because He is gracing us, filling us with His power to be people of love, to be Jesus’ people by the way we live, act and love.
Today's Gospel is a vision that has been recounted to Matthew by either Peter, James or John, or all three. Now we have to keep in mind that visions raise as many questions as they provide answers. This whole event is told in a minimum of words ... just eight verses. Three of the four apostles who accompany Jesus at many key events are present: Peter, James and John. In both the Old and New Testaments, mountains are traditionally the locations of divine revelations. Today Jesus is transfigured, which is described as assuming the form of a very bright, white light. Jesus has become radically changed, something the apostles have never seen before. And He is in conversation with Moses and Elijah, who mysteriously appear. Moses represents the Torah -- the Law -- while Elijah represents the prophets: the totality of divine revelation. Peter thinks that this somehow represents the Feast of Booths or Tabernacle. This is one of the three special feasts filled with thanksgiving for the gifts God has given. It reminds the people of the time in the desert when they lived in tents, or booths, while awaiting God’s revelations through Moses. Peter is wrong again, being interrupted by the high point of the vision: the voice that comes from the cloud which reveals the true identity of Jesus: God’s beloved Son. He is to be listened to. The apostles are terrified. Jesus touches them and tells them, “Rise, and do not be afraid” -- the most frequent phrase in the Old and New Testaments, appearing 365 times. Is there any wonder that this is also the number of days in a year? Is the message that I turn to God each day … He will be an answer to my fears and worries, and His plan brings salvation to the world? The constant message through today's readings and all of scripture is that God never abandons us. There is no reason to be afraid. He has promised eternal life to all. Can we bring our doubts and troubles to Him to have Him help us carry our crosses?
A Reflection from New Sundays and Holy Day Liturgies:
The Gospels show clearly that Peter was a man of action;
he always needed to be doing something.
So on Mount Tabor, instead of contemplating in silence and wonder
the glory of His Lord, he wanted to build three tents.
There is a time for stillness for contemplation, for wonder,
for adoration in the presence of God.
A time to heed the words of the psalmist: "Be still, and know that I am God."
Sometimes we are too busy. We would be better to be silent,
to be listening, to be wondering, to be adoring in the presence of God.
So we reflect on:
- How often in prayer do I tell Jesus how wonderful it is to be in His presence? Where did I find Jesus in my life today?
- In seeing Jesus, do I sometimes worry of what the future may hold?
- Am I open to finding Jesus in the people around me?
“The disciples see Jesus revealed in all His divine glory. It is a special moment for them, as Peter confirms: 'It is good for us to be here.’ The voice of God the Father resounding from the cloud has an important message to convey to the disciples and us: ‘Listen to Him.' A listening heart is a heart warmed by the love of God and taught by His words. The one we listen to is the Son of God: Jesus, transfigured in His humanity.
"Prayer is better described as listening than speaking. Spend some time in prayer just listening to the mood of love and peace in God’s presence.”
Comments
Post a Comment