Homily

Today’s Scriptures have many common theological threads. This is not mere coincidence. Indeed, the Church has discerned to offered during the 2nd Sunday in Lent the story of God’s covenant with Abraham and the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Interestingly enough both of these persons are found in all three cycles of this weekend. The Church has discerned that these stories are important enough that we should hear them every year at this time. So, what’s their connection? Well, let me offer some of the connections and then give ideas for application.

In our current cycle, Year B, the story of Abraham focuses on the the faithfulness of Abraham in the face of what seem like madness. In the Gospel, the apostles Peter, James, and John also found themselves puzzled over the events that took place. Both stories take place on mountain tops. In both stories, faith was being asked for and trust in God’s plan was essential in order to make sense of them afterwards. Imagine what stories each group of persons would have upon coming back down off their mountain-top experiences. It’s likely that many would have struggled to believe their stories. For us modern readers, the stories might bring up puzzling questions, like what kind of God would demand such a sacrifice as to kill one’s own son? Or, what was going on in Isaac’s mind as the story was unfolding? Or, I wonder what Sarah thought after she was told the story of what happened? The Apostles who witnessed the transfiguration were thoroughly confused. We can wonder how they may have thinking after the event. How could they have recognized the other two with Jesus as Moses and Elijah? There were no photographs from which to compare their faces? I can imagine that Jesus’ request wouldn’t have been too hard to keep since anyone listening to it might have assumed them crazy. This is where time and God’s Holy Spirit comes into play. Jesus told them to wait to share this event only after the “Son of Man” had risen from the dead. Remember that they were so terrified at the event that they had no idea what to say. In Luke’s version of this story, somehow Peter does recognize the other person’s with Jesus and says that they should build tents on the site in order to commemorate Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Luke remarks that Peter “did not know what he was saying” (Luke 9:33). So, bottom line: these events are shrouded in mystery. Yet, that doesn’t mean that nothing can be known about them. Indeed, they offer us a window and and challenge. And it is the letter of St. Paul to the Romans that gives us the key to this understanding.

The narratives given to us tell us that we are to trust God in the face of the unexplainable. We are to trust God when all seems lost. We are to trust God and remember that he will continually fulfill his promise, his covenant to us. For Abraham, the covenant involved a blessing of wealth. For Abraham, that would translate into descendants after him. For the Apostles, Jesus was encouraging his followers to stay strong and know that he will transform the world. St. Paul knows well these stories. He wants to connect the fact that God will be even more faithful than Abraham. God will go further and allow his only son to die. This action towards his most beloved is the foretaste of how much God will do for us. The covenant that was spoken to Noah and then to Abraham would be blown open in Jesus. Paul, a studied person in the Jewish faith as well as in Roman law tried to explain Jesus in terms that the Romans could understand. Jesus was given the right to judge us and condemn us. Yet, so gracious is God, beyond any of the Roman/Pagan gods, God would not condemn us because our mediator, Jesus, would not hand us over but, instead, hand himself over in our place. So, no longer is the covenant dependent on our faithfulness. Now, God will be faithful to his Covenant to us because his Son sign the deal with his blood.

Now, for the application. God desires our love and faithfulness. And while none of us, I hope will ever be put into the situation of Abraham, we may very well be given our own challenges and tests. Additionally, we will all, hopefully, have a mountain-top experience in our lives, that is a moment of ah-ha, insight, or inspiration into God’s plan or glory in our own lives. These could also be seen as moments of renewal of God’s covenant with you and you to God.

Think about the most joyful moment in your life. (wait) Now, hasn’t that moment carried you through many trials in your life? Well. during Lent, we are being invited to be witnesses of God’s glory and be transformed ourselves. Remember the marks of Lent which are prayer, fasting, and alms-giving. Everyone of us are being invited to participate in some way with these three things. They may be times that cause you to suffer, But, don’t forget those mountain-top experiences which serve to remind you of God’s deep abiding love for you.

During Lent, we are to look at ourselves and be penitential people, people who turn to God in our need and trust him and ask for forgiveness. And so, my next question is when have you sought out forgiveness? When was the last time you said “I’m sorry” to someone? When is the last time you went to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation? If it has been too long, then wait no longer. Make the effort and be reconciled with God.

As Abraham trusted God with what he considered most precious, go forth and do the same. Let God, through reconciliation and through the renewal of his covenant of love for you take you to a place where you, too, can be transfigured into his image. Let Jesus bless you this Lent. Renew your dedication to your Lenten practice. Put away those images of Jesus who will strike you down and rejoice in the fact that he will intercede for you and not condemn you, as St. Paul proclaimed to the Romans. Fulfill your promise as God will fulfill his covenant to you. Proclaim his presence in your life and he will proclaim yours in his. And many this Lent be like no previous lent that you’ve ever had.