NKCC

Second Sunday of Lent

Reading I – Genesis 12:1-4a (25A)

Reading II -  2 Timothy 1:8b-10

Gospel – Matthew 17:1-9

In the first historical activity recounted by the biblical author, Abram is commanded to leave his homeland and move family, flock and self to the “promised land”. Paul writing to Timothy encourages him and the community to “bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.” The struggles of the Christian life will not be more than the community can bear, and for us, it is a gentle reminder that God helps us carry the cross.

The apostle, Peter, sees the transfiguration of Jesus as an event announcing the end as a kind of harvest festival. “Let us erect three tents here…” The God who asks for sacrifice and sin offerings has different plans for Jesus. Moses might be buried by angels and Elijah might be transported into the heavens in a chariot of fire, but for Jesus, the end would be more like the sacrifice of Isaac though without a substitute filling his place. The voice of God commands them to “listen to him”. We are commanded to do the same.

The transfiguration of Jesus holds the hope of better things to come. It shows the possibility of self-sacrifice for those who might otherwise only die. The suffering of Jesus offers Christians a way to interpret difficult times. Embracing the suffering of Christ, moving to new land, a new place, dying to self so that we might rise to new life is the message of the readings this Sunday. In so doing, our lives are transfigured becoming new, without fear of what lays ahead. Transformed in Christ, the follower becomes more like him who gave his life that we might live.

By Dale J. Sieverding
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