Second Sunday of Lent (Year B)

Second Sunday of Lent February 25, 2024

Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18; Romans 8:31b-35, 37; Mark 9:2-10

Embracing Transformation: The Journey of Lent

(image courtesy: Google)

A curious phenomenon occurred in the life of Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite. One morning in 1888 he was shocked to read his own obituary in the Newspaper, instead of that of his brother who died, all due to the mistake made by the reporter.  What the newspaper said of him, made Alfred Nobel realize the awful image he had projected to the world. He was proclaimed the dynamite king who comes into immense wealth with the manufacture and sale of deadly weapons of destruction. No one seemed to have noticed his humanitarian efforts at bridging people and ideas. No one remembered the good he had done in his life. He felt miserable.  At that moment he decided to do something to remedy that image.  In his will he left his enormous fortune to the establishment of the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. Today several other prizes are given in his name. People hardly remember him for the invention of dynamite. They remember him for the Peace Prize.

In simple terms transfiguration is a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state. Just like Alfred Nobel spiritual state of every human goes through a moment of transfiguration at one point or other. The human journey is a continuous act of transfiguration.

The readings for today offer us rich insights into this transformative journey. In the first reading, we encounter the story of Abraham, the father of faith, who obediently follows God's call to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. This narrative challenges us to reflect on the depth of our own trust in God and our willingness to surrender all to Him. Like Abraham, we are called to relinquish our attachments, our fears, and our desires, entrusting everything to the providence of God.

Transfiguration is a moment of enlightenment in our lives where we understand better the purpose of trials, suffering, testing and making sacrifices. We enter into prayer with anger in our hearts, we come out in forgiveness; we go to the Lord in confusion, we come out in enlightenment; we go with our struggles and we come away with strength to face them. We go with our doubts and we come back with understanding. How many young people we meet at the confessional who come with shame, fear and embarrassment and go away understood, comforted and empowered to face trails and temptations of life! Today let us remember those moments of transfiguration. As we go out of this Eucharistic celebration, as we go down the mountain to live our lives as ordinary, as simple and as down-to-earth as they can be.

The highlight of the transfiguration is the voice that comes from the overcasting cloud, identifying Jesus as the Beloved Son, and the mandate that follows to listen to Him.  Here again we have further endorsement of Jesus for the benefit of his disciples. Jesus is God's own dear Son. And they are to listen to Jesus even when he says things they find it hard to accept: his rejection, suffering, death – and resurrection.  The Old Testament cloud was always the symbol of the presence of the divine majesty. No doubt the voice they heard was the voice of God.  Here again we have further endorsement of Jesus for the benefit of his disciples. Jesus is God's own dear Son.

As we journey through Lent, we are called to reflect on the areas of our lives that need healing and transformation. Perhaps it is a habit of gossip or resentment that poisons our relationships. Maybe it is an addiction or attachment that enslaves us and prevents us from living fully for God. It could be a lack of forgiveness or compassion that keeps us bound in bitterness and self-righteousness.

Whatever the case may be, Lent offers us the opportunity to turn away from sin and embrace the abundant life that Christ promises. It is a time to open ourselves to the grace of God, who longs to heal our wounds and set us free from all that binds us. It is a time to cultivate the virtues of humility, patience, and charity, allowing the love of Christ to flow through us and transform the world around us.

A poor illiterate man wanted to be baptized. The parish priest asked him many questions to see whether he was fit for baptism. “Where was Jesus born? How many apostles did he have? How many years did he live? Where did he die? The poor man knew nothing of all these questions. Irritated, the priest then said, “At least you know prayers like the Our Father and the I Believe”? The man again shook his head. “What do you know then?” asked the priest flabbergasted. The man explained, “Before I met Jesus I was a drunkard who beat up my wife and children; I lost my job and was wasting my life.” Then he continued, “But after encountering Jesus, I’ve quit drinking. I work hard and have begun to love my family. For me Jesus is my personal Saviour!”

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us fix our gaze on Jesus. Let us follow Him through the wilderness of temptation, trusting that He walks with us every step of the way. Let us draw near to Him in prayer, seeking His guidance and strength to persevere in our struggles. And let us open our hearts to the transforming power of His love, allowing Him to make us into new creations, ready to proclaim His Gospel to the ends of the earth.

May this season of Lent be a time of profound renewal and transformation for each one of us. May we embrace the Cross with courage and humility, knowing that through Christ's death and resurrection, we are made whole and set free. And may we journey together as a community of faith, supporting and encouraging one another along the way.

Happy Sunday