Sunday, March 13, 2022

 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

(Genesis 15:5-12.17-18; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 9:28-36)

There is a men's organization that has drawn a lot of attention. It is not a military squad. Nor is it a band of musicians. This organization consists mostly of fathers who come together to support one another in living righteously. It's called the “Promise Keepers” organization. The men promise to fulfill their roles as husbands and fathers by practicing virtue. We are reminded of this group with the Mass readings today. In them we see God demonstrating how he is going to fulfill his promises.

God promised Abram that he would have a great nation as his inheritance. However, the man has grown old without having a son. In the reading God confirms his promise: Abram’s descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the night sky. So God makes a covenant with Abram. His descendants will not only be numerous but will also inhabit a great land.

Probably Ukrainians now, like Abram in the reading, are having a hard time believing in God's goodness. They are suffering so much that it is hard for them to believe that God is with them. They look for a favorable sign that they will not lose everything. Possibly the only hope that can be extended to the Ukrainians is Paul's promise in the second reading. Paul tells the Philippians that they are citizens of heaven. If they follow Jesus, both their bodies and their suffering will be transformed.

In the gospel we meet the Lord leading three disciples up a mountain. He just finished telling the entire group that he was going to suffer death in Jerusalem. He added that he will also be raised from the dead. Then he promised them that they in turn will suffer for associating with him. But it won't be for nothing. They will share also eternal life with him.

On the mountain the three receive a glimpse of the fulfillment of these promises. Jesus' garments are transformed so that they reveal his glory. The voice of the Father gives another witness to the truth of his coming death and resurrection. It proclaims that Jesus is his “Son”, his “chosen one”. By saying “my chosen one” God associates Jesus with the Suffering Servant of the prophet Isaiah. During Holy Week we are going to see this man prefiguring Jesus as redeemer of the people. By saying “my Son,” God assures the disciples that Jesus will take the place at his right hand in heaven.

Can the Ukrainians be content with the promise of glory for Jesus’ followers? Can we be? We humans are a mixture of body and soul. The passions of the body can overwhelm the beliefs of the mind. Particularly fear and desire can silence the voice of conscience. But we are not alone in the struggle to master the passions. We have the saints as models to imitate and intercessors to pray for us. St. Oscar Romero, the archbishop of San Salvador, withstood the threats from the military of his country. He knew that he would suffer martyrdom, but he never stopped preaching the gospel. We have to ask the Lord that we always remain faithful. Then we have to conform our lives to his.

Whenever the transfiguration is mentioned, we always think of the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. However, we could think of our transfiguration as well. Particularly through our efforts during Lent, we hope that we will be transfigured.  Let us show more gratitude to God, more patience with the weak, and more love for our neighbor. May striving to grow in these ways be our promise this Lent!