Walking with Jesus: Second Sunday of Lent

For Sunday, March 5, 2023

Genesis 12:1-4, 2 Timothy 1:8-10, Matthew 17:1-9

What is Lent to me? It is changing each year because I am constantly changing: New people, new events, new challenges await me around each turn. How I am facing these new situations depends on my relationship with the Lord and how I am growing deeper in God’s love.

I heard a story about a lady who was traveling to Greece and called a Greek Orthodox church for help in finding the Liturgical readings for the coming weeks. She was told that she “had to go to Mass at the Church of St. Metamorphosis.” She never had heard of that saint and asked who it was. The answer was, “Holy Transfiguration.” Reflect on this: Following Jesus involves a change from what I was to who the Lord needs me to be and is leading me to become. Like the apostles viewing the Transfiguration, we are constantly called to go to new places, have new experiences, face new realities, and be challenged out of our comfort zone. We are all called to be Jesus to the world we live in and to people in need of our discipleship. Am I living this way?

In a few verses from the Book of Genesis, we hear of Abram’s call to be the Father of all nations. In the previous Chapter (11), Moses explains how the whole world speaks the “… same language, using the same words.” (Genesis 11:1) but is promoting projects that do not include God. Abram is commanded by God to leave and follow God’s commands. What follows are a series of promises that are not completed during Abram’s lifetime. Nevertheless Abram obeys and all creation receives God’s blessings based upon how they live His commands and instructions. Living them will involve hardships but they will be filled with God’s directions and blessings. Following God’s leadership, Abram will become father to a great nationn which will become an example for the rest of the world. All peoples will be shown that God is to be praised, honored and obeyed. Those who refuse will not find favor with God. Perhaps this will encourage them to reconsider their choices. Abram follows and is continually rewarded.

Lent is a time for us to change and reflect upon the hazards of our journey and on where we have been slacking, avoiding, or not interested in God’s way. The notion is that I can do it my way … God doesn’t care about me, so why should I care about God? Life is cruel but it is meant to be happy … I know what makes me happy and that’s the way I should live. Loving is only guaranteed when I acknowledge that God is the source of all love. As Jesus stated so completely at the Last Supper, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” [John 14:6] It is never about my way: It is always about God.

Early in Paul’s letter to Timothy, he guarantees Timothy and all believers of the strength available as they face up to every hardship by proclaiming the gospel of Love.  Paul recounts what God has already done: “He saved us and called us to a holy life not according to our works but according to His own design and the graces bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” [2 Timothy 1:10]

Proof of all this is seen in the story about Jesus’ Transfiguration. Its purpose: Jesus is the Son of God. Matthew recalls the life and ministry of Moses and the giving of the Law: the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. The scene also recalls the Feast of Tabernacles which celebrates the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land. The roofs over their heads are tents or booths (tabernacles) as they move through the desert. Jesus is divinely changed in the midst of a brilliant light into whiter than white garments, putting into context theophanies — a visible manifestation to humankind of the presence of God. And God’s voice surrounds the scene: “This is My beloved Son,  with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” [Matthew 17: 5]

Matthew includes Jesus' telling the three apostles not to tell anyone about this. Why? How can they understand what has never happened to humanity until Jesus rises from the dead, which is absolute proof of Jesus’ love and divinity? Included in the scene are two prophets and miracle workers, Moses and Elijah, who experience quite a bit of opposition — especially at the beginning of their faith-filled stories. Just before telling this story, Matthew tells how the disciples will have opposition, difficulties and hardships, many times culminating in horrendous deaths. Therefore all must take up their crosses as Jesus did and follow Jesus’ love and example in living an apostles’ call to discipleship. And Peter says, “Lord it is good that we are here …” [Matthew 17:4) … yes, it is good that we are here. We need to realize that to be disciples — followers of Jesus — we need to change. We need to realize that God’s love will help us endure our crosses and help us understand that we are needed … called … to be Jesus to our world.

If not me, who?

So I reflect on:

• The ending of the reading tells us to listen to Jesus … and not be afraid. Which parts of my Christian journey have I found awe-inspiring? Which ones fearful?
• In Lent we busy ourselves with prayer in all its forms. We are also called to be deeper listeners to Jesus’ life and story … His sufferings, His healings, His love, His message to me … listening is an important part.

Sacred Space 2023 states:

“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.’

“God is with the disciples and our Lord, paying close attention to what they say and do. What would they have said to one another after the incident? Imagine one of them in later life giving an account and explanation of the incident.”