Walking with Jesus: Second Sunday in Lent B

Genesis 22:1-2, 9, 10-13, 15-18; Romans 8:31-34; Mark 9:2-10

There are many heart-wrenching stories in the Bible. Sitting at the foot of the cross and seeing Jesus suffer out of love for each of us is at the top of that list. We ask ourselves, Why? We know He loves us, that’s the only answer. Today’s readings give us more depth into this mystery. Perhaps a question or two can help us focus our attention: What was the hardest thing you ever had to do? What was the hardest decision you ever had to make? Putting this in the context of today's first reading, Abraham would respond that the toughest thing God ever asked of him was, “When God asked me to sacrifice my only son?” If we were to place ourselves into this story, how would we respond? “Why? I waited a long time for a child and You promised me one when Sarah was way beyond childbearing. Why would you give me Isaac and want me to kill him? Is there any other option? Any other sacrifice? Can I give myself and spare his life?” Another might be: “No, I just won’t do it!”

Like many others, I cringe when I hear this story. Why would God ask Abraham to sacrifice his son? Even stranger, why would Abraham actually attempt to do it? Parents have a fierce internal protective system for their children. Too protective? That is a balancing act parents endure frequently. Today’s story shows an angel coming at the last moment to STOP the killing. Even this doesn’t answer the questions: Is God telling us more than is first visible? Is God giving us a message that is necessary for each of us to reflect on? Does God have an individual plan for each of us to learn so that our preparation for heaven is assured? YES answers these last questions. We look to the readings to discover God’s way and plan.

Chapter 10 of Genesis lists the descendants of Noah’s three sons leading up to the Tower of Babel, where the people want to make the world into one since they all speak the same language. God confuses them with Babel and “… from that place He scattered them over the earth.” [Genesis 11:9]. Then we hear that Abram’s father is Terah who has three sons: Abram, Nahor and Haran, who was the father of Lot. “Abram and Nahor took wives; the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah … Sarai was barren; she had no child.” [Genesis 11:29] Abram grows in his faith and is trusted. It’s good to look in our own lives and reflect on the person who is just trust-filled. Imagine this person next to Abram, who obeys God to leave his homeland … trusts when God promises him and Sarah a child ... believes even with Sarah being really old … and doesn’t question God when He tells Abram to sacrifice his son. He trusts and it doesn’t make sense. What can we say? Abraham presumes God knows what He is doing. Do I? Do I have that much trust in God? Is my belief so strong that I can ‘let go and let God?’

With absolute and complete trust, Abraham has arrived at the “ideal of unconditional faith.” Now God’s plan for the world … for you and me … has entered its initial stage to be fulfilled and completed in God’s love for us. God sacrifices His Son, Jesus, for our sake. Would any parent sacrifice a child? No! I would rather sacrifice myself, and there have been numerous examples of this throughout history. This is total, complete, unconditional love. God the Father does not spare His own Son from death. He hands Jesus over for our salvation … for everyone’s. Paul is encouraging the Romans, whose faith is being tested: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” [Romans 8:31] God is totally on our side. He desires the same happiness we want for ourselves. He leads us to see that true happiness is God’s love which for us and eternal. Do I want it? Do I desire and work for it? This is Lent’s goal. Abraham discovered this mystery.

The Transfiguration scene happens six days after Jesus announces that “… the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed and rise after three days.”  [Mark 8:31] What does this mean to them? Suffer — what has He done wrong? Rejected — everyone loves His preaching and miracles. Killed — we will protect Him. Rise — what will we do without Him? Really, who is He? They need to know!

“And He was transfigured before them …” [Mark 9:2]

The apostles are given a glimpse of the divine reality of Jesus. Mark doesn’t explain how this happens or what is happening at this point. This points to the future by displaying the glory that Jesus already possesses as God’s Son. Moses represents the Law and Elijah the prophets — both of whom have prepared the way for the Messiah. The identity and the mission of Christ are confirmed both by God and the Scriptures.

“This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him.” [Mark 9:7]

So I reflect on:

• Which voices speak loudest or with most authority in my life?
• How do I make space and time to listen to the voice of Jesus speaking to me?
  

Sacred Space 2021 states:

“Peter cries out in delight and wonder: ‘Master, it is good for us to be here!’ This is how we are surely meant to experience the presence of God — in wonder and delight, the created glorying in the Creator’s presence. Too often, we glide along the surface of the spinning Earth, never listening to its heartbeat. We look into the depths of the universe and never hear the singing of the stars.

“When did I last sing and make melody to the Lord with all my heart or clap my hands or shout for joy to Him?”