LENT ’09: 2nd Sunday – By Fr. Gordon, imc

Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18;
… Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw behind his back a ram, amongst the briers, sticking fast by the horns, which he took and offered for a holocaust instead of his son…
Mark 9:1- 9

And Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." For he did not know what to say, for they were exceedingly afraid. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him."

Our God is a God of life and not of death… This is how I would present the theme of this Sunday’s readings. He is a God who is not happy to see his creation die. He wants us to live fully and thus the lesson we learn from the book of Genesis whereby Abraham is tempted to sacrifice his son but the Lord of life comes in his rescue. This is the same God who is calling us in this lent, to get out wholeheartedly to “rescue” those who need us. He is the same God calling us through the Voice of our leaders, and in a special way through the voice of some of our Fish members (Richard Obudho, Anna Amimo etc etc) who are inviting us to an action that leads to joyful life of sons and daughters of God. Listen to these voices and act!
Yes, that was the call of the Lord for the apostles, (Peter, James and John); to listen to what Jesus would tell them. And this is the same voice speaking to us. Unfortunately more than once, consciously or unconsciously, we do not pay attention to this voice. Many a times, we, like the apostles, would rather prefer to enjoy the “good moment” and not to think of any other thing. But the message is clear for us all in this time of lent as it was for the apostles then: we must not stay static here; we must not stay up there alone (in the mountain). We must come down to (Jerusalem) where many things are waiting for us. We must go down there, full of joy (of having been with Him) to transmit the same to those who badly need just a moment of joy in their lives. We must be messengers of justice, love and reconciliation.
Therefore brothers and sisters, on this Second Sunday of lent, as we reflect on the Transfiguration of Jesus, let us enter more deeply into the mystery of faith by living in the Transfiguration now. It is a time for our transformation/change/conversion too. It is truly good for us to be here, yes. As we progress through our Lenten pilgrimage together, let us draw encouragement from the account of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ and experience the grace of these forty days so that we might greet the coming Easter, reflecting more fully the Image and likeness of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord who lived here on earth doing good to others.

For Personal reflection:
1. Do I need a stop in my life – like that which Jesus gave his three disciples on Mt. Tabor, in order to see him transfigured and thus also transform my life?
2. We walk through life with hope to reach the glorious encounter with the Risen Christ. Am I ready to accept that the final victory comes only through the cross, for the service to others, through life dedicated to brothers and sisters? Or prefer to stay comfortably in Mt. Tabor (make three tents) without coming down to the Calvary and the Resurrection?