07.03.2004 2nd Sunday of Lent - Year C
First Reading: Genesis 15, 5-12, 17-18 Psalm 26
Second Reading: Philippians 3, 17-4, 1 Gospel Reading: Luke 9, 28b-36
The birds of prey came down upon the sacrifice that Abram had prepared for God's
alliance with him. Abram chased them away, while God in the form of a flaming
torch passed through the divided animals. The rite of the alliance consisted
in passing between the carcasses of the animals that had been cut in two: in
so doing the one who violated the pact accepted the same fate as that of the
animals. Only God passed between them, committing Himself and did not expect
the same of Abram, whose descendents were incapable of faithfulness. To these
descendents who were as numerous as the stars in the sky, God gave the land
as a blessing and for safety. Abram had to contribute at least in keeping away
the birds of prey, which we can compare to temptations, ever present, always
insolent and trying to prevent our meeting with God.
Jesus wished to have that special meeting with God. He went up into the mountain
to pray and took with him only three of his disciples. His prayer there was
particularly significant. He was preparing the revelation of his secret, that
of his "leaving", the mystery of his death and resurrection. God,
with the flame of His love, would pass through his life, his sacrifice, forming
an alliance for us which is completely free of charge. The ground had to be
prepared for such a new and astounding revelation. He prepared for it by praying,
and uniting with the Father, with His plan for the salvation of mankind. Even
the disciples had to be prepared to receive this revelation through prayer.
They were heavy with sleep as was Abram: they had to struggle to be able to
see the light of God's love which altered Jesus' countenance and his raiment
making it a dazzling white. Jesus is the flame of God and the victim to be sacrificed
for us, for all mankind!
God committed Himself on the mountain: He sent two great friends as witnesses
to whom He had confided His plans, the gentle Moses and the courageous Elijah,
the leader and the prophet whose mouth pronounced the holy words of His love
and His predilection for His people committing them to loyalty. That day they
spoke to Jesus of his journey through death, a death that was to be the rite
of allegiance with God: through him He would pour out His love on the world,
that world which is not worthy to stand in His presence.
What were the disciples to do, what was or is the world to do? "Listen
to him!" This is the only effort man must make to be saved. Listen to Jesus:
his word is gentle and mild, consoling and demanding, it is "the blessing"
for the joy of the people to help them in their journey to the promised land,
that land where we will all be brothers, clothed in the light and the glory
of our God and Father!
St Paul speaks of this "land" in the second reading: it is the homeland
we are waiting to enter, a land where our Lord rules! Where we are awaited,
in order to be transfigured, to be loved in a way that we have never been loved
before on this earth! God will have particular care for each one of us and Jesus
will make us similar to himself! So let us start now and behave like true disciples,
ready to carry the cross, determined to follow the example of the saints and
friends of Jesus.
We must not be ashamed of our Lord, even if the world around us denies him and
derides the greatest love that made him carry the cross. Let us renew our gratitude
for having accepted us into his community of saints, the Church, by way of our
baptism. Let us continue to live in awareness of his presence, of his Word,
of his plan to transform our society into a society of love, where communion
is the main law. Let's forget the idols which makes us think things are important:
idols like money, pleasure, food or drink and vanity! St Paul makes the observation
that those who lose the way, lose it because "their god is the belly, and
they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things". Let us, therefore,
keep our sights on Jesus, as we have been taught! If necessary we will look
for someone to teach us again so as not to lose precious opportunities of spiritual
growth, of maturing our inner lives. Let us obey that voice which sounded on
the mountain: "Listen to him"!
During Lent let us try to imitate Jesus: just as he went up into the mountain,
let us find times and places suitable to that prayer which looks for and loves
the will of the Father! And our faces will reflect His light!