Second Sunday of Lent (B) ~ Transforming our Lives

Second Sunday of Lent (B)

Gen 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Ps 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19
Rom 8:31b-34
Mk 9:2-10

In Mark's Gospel today, we hear how Jesus took Peter, James and John up to a high mountain and in their presence, was transformed... transfigured. With Jesus stood Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets. As the apostles watched, they heard the voice of God in all His Glory, identify and acknowledge the presence of His beloved Son.

Though terrified by this event, the frightened apostles realized that they wanted to remain forever in the presence of the Divine. They offered to build tents for each of them. But alas, it was not to be and the dazzling scene faded and Jesus was alone with them once more.

What was the impact of this transfiguration on these three men? Jesus tried to explain to them that they should say nothing of the event until after He had risen from the dead. Their minds became distracted from the vision and turned instead to the meaning of the Son of Man rising from the dead... What could that mean? It could be that their minds remained clouded until the Holy Spirit descended upon them, long after Jesus' Death and Resurrection. However, we know that Peter, James and John finally understood and their experience has come down to us as an important lesson about change.

As we continue our Lenten journey, we are also called to be transfigured and transformed. That through prayer, fasting and alms giving, we ask God to create a new heart in us. A new Spirit within us so that our lives can be lived more in tune with God's Will. What is required of us?

Trust in God is what is necessary in order to change our hearts. We see the kind of trust we need as we listen to the Genesis reading that tells the story of Abraham who was willing to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, to the Lord because God asked this of him. Abraham trusted God who had told him before the birth of Isaac that he would be the father of nations. The Lord put Abraham to the test and Abraham did not falter. He trusted that God's words would be fulfilled.

Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans, that God is always FOR us! Why else would He have given His own Son to live among us and to die for us on the cross? If God can do this for us, we can be assured that the trust we give to Him, will never be cast away.

In joy and gratitude, the psalmist sings:

"To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord." (Ps 116:17)


~ Image: "The Transfiguration of Christ" by Titian