SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR B

Genesis 22:1-2.9-13.15-18
Psalm 115:10.15-19
Romans 8:31-34
Mark 9:2-10

THE WAY TO OUR TRANSFIGURATION

Usually, the transfiguration passage is proclaimed on the second Sunday of Lent. Situating this event in its context may be enlightening. It was preceded by two events. First, the exiting moment of Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the long awaited Messiah (Mark 8:27-30). Second, the shocking prediction of Jesus’ sufferings, death and resurrection (Mark 8:31-33). Then comes the wonderful experience of the Transfiguration: “Rabbi, It is wonderful for us to be here…” said Peter (Mark 9:2-10). This event was to tell the disciples that the cross was not the end, but the way to Jesus' glorification.

The first reading narrates the trying moment of Abraham: God commands him to sacrifice Isaac, his only son. God had promised Abraham he would make him the father of a multitude of nations. He and his wife were beyond child-bearing age. Now they conceived miraculously a child. And behold, God demands this son to be sacrificed. But Abraham still trusts in God, even in the face of this apparently senseless, cruel, painful and terrible request of God (Gen. 22:1-2.9-13.15-18).

Indeed, following God can sometimes be horrible and terrifying. Other times, it may demand of us to make nonsensical and strange moves. But in the awful moments we may have to experience, the crosses we may have to bear, the pains and difficulties we may have to go through, the trying moments we may have to live, one thing is sure: God is leading us to glory. He is present with us. And the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that awaits us (cf Rom 8:18).

Yes, our faces may be disfigured because of pain and tears; but they will surely be transfigured if we encounter Jesus in prayer, in the celebration of the Mass, in the confessional, etc. So, “with God on our side who can be against us?” May he help us to focus on the crown instead of the cross.

Amen

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR B

Genesis 9:8-15
Psalm 24:4-9
1Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:12-15

LENT, AN OPPORTUNE TIME FOR CONVERSION

"Repent and believe in the Gospel". This is the exhortation that Jesus addresses to each one of us on this first Sunday of Lent. Lent is essentially a preparation for the celebration of Easter. It is an invitation to change our lifestyles. It is a call to put order into our lives and return to God with all sincerity. Lent is a period of conversion and spiritual discipline: intense prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Lent is forty days journey as Jesus did in the wilderness. This notwithstanding, we must be aware that there will be temptations on the way. Jesus himself was tempted, as it is narrated in today's Gospel (Mark 1:12-15). But if we remember that we serve a faithful God, he who keeps his covenant for ever, we shall stand firm and not fall despite the many snares of the devil.

In effect, the first reading tells us that God made a covenant with Noah and all creation. He promised he would never destroy again the earth with flood. The rainbow became the sign of this covenant (Gen. 9:8-15).

In the second reading, Peter recognizes this event as a prefiguration of Christian baptism. With Noah's ark, only a few people were preserved from the devastating waters of the flood. But for us, many are we who have been saved through the life-giving waters of baptism (1Pet. 3:18-22).

Lent is therefore an opportune time to ask ourselves how faithful we have been to God. Baptism is a pledge of our commitment to God. How have we lived our baptismal promises? How many times have we not giving in to temptations? How many times have we not  denied God and gone our own way?

In any case, we serve a living and forgiving God, a God full of mercy and love. He does not count the many times we have fallen, but the times we have risen after falling. Like the prodigal child, let us come back home. Let us repent and trust in God's mercy and compassion. May he bless and keep all of us.

Amen

SIXTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Leviticus 13:1-2.44-46
Psalm 31:1-5.11
1Corinthians 10:31-11:1
Mark 1:40-45

LET ME BE PART OF "US"

Man is essentially a social being. His fulfillment lies in togetherness, living with and for others. It can be therefore painful when we feel rejected, neglected or abandoned. Thus, the healing of the leper in today’s gospel is much revealing.

Leprosy has always been a terrible illness, especially in ancient times. It was highly contagious and incurable. In this way, the only means of prevention was to isolate the leper from society. Hence, the first reading provides that the leper must live apart, outside the camp. He must also avoid any contact with others (Lev. 13:1-2.44-46).

In this situation, the leper suffered a double affliction: the physical suffering inflicted by the sickness and the psychological pain of being separated from his own people. He could not even participate in the worship of his community. He became an outcast.

But in the gospel, a moving story is told. The leper dared defy the laws that condemned him to exclusion and isolation. He came to Jesus and pleaded to be cured. In his turn, Jesus broke the norms of purity that prohibited him to approach, let alone touch, a leper. He stretched out his hand, touched the leper and healed him (Mark 1:40-45). These daring actions of both the leper and Jesus restored the leper to good health and reintegrated him to his community. 

In our society today, many are those living at the margin of society. They have been excluded from the mass, separated from their own, rejected. For instance, the elderly, the sick, prisoners, victims of HIV/AIDS, migrants, strangers, alcoholics, etc, have been excluded from society. Can we be the face of Jesus to these people?

St Paul invites us to imitate him just as he himself imitates Christ. We are called, especially on this day which is the International Day for the Sick, to perform actions even audacious so as to break any norm that excludes man from his fellow men. By so doing, we will give glory to God. May Mary, our Lady of Lourdes intercede for all the sick.

Amen

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Job 7,1-4. 6-7
Psalm 146,1-6
1Corinthians 9,16-19. 22-23
Mark 1, 29-39

ENCOUNTERING JESUS THE HEALER

Sometimes, life can seem meaningless, absurd and pure drudgery, especially when we are faced with the reality of suffering and evil. “The Catechism of the Catholic Church” says: “Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations and his finitude… Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes even despair and revolt against God” (1500 -1501).

Today’s readings present us with people who were confronted with sickness. Faced with undeserved suffering, Job wondered at the absurdity and boringness of human life. And yet, at the end, he turns to God in prayer (Job 7,1-4.6-7). The Responsorial psalm is a song to God, he who “heals the broken-hearted and binds up all their wounds” (Ps. 146,1-6).

In the gospel, Simon’s mother-in-law and the many people who were sick and possessed by devils encountered Jesus and received healing and deliverance (Mark 1, 29-39). When we meet Jesus, he gives a new meaning to our life conditions. He is not only our healer par excellence, but also shares our sufferings. He is touched by our sufferings, miseries, cries and anguish. 

This healing and restoring power of Jesus indeed has transformed our lives, making us whole so as to be at the service of all. Thus, St Paul considers it a duty to preach Christ in order to free others. He makes himself the slave of everyone, offering to all the Good News of Jesus without asking for anything in return (1Cor. 9,16-19. 22-23).

In any situation, let us remember that it is only Jesus who can give wholeness and meaning to our life. May he heal us, bless us and keep all of us under his transforming power.

Amen