SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

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

Today’s readings present two scenes: that of Abraham who goes to the mountain to sacrifice his son Isaac, and that of Jesus who goes to the mountain to be transfigured. 

In the first scene, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac on mount Moriah. This request was a radical trial of faith; it seemed to utterly contradict God’s promise that the boy would pass on Abraham’s line into the distant future. And yet, Abraham did not refuse. He still obeyed God, even in the face of this apparently senseless, cruel and painful request of God. 

Abraham’s unconditional obedience is often seen as a paradigm for the sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son on Calvary. Saint Paul rightly said: “God did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all”.  Thus, Isaac prefigured Jesus in that he was to be sacrificed on a hill, and he carried on his shoulder the wood for the sacrifice.  But unlike Isaac, Jesus knew what was awaiting him. That is why after the exiting moment of Peter’s confession (Mark 8:27-30), he announced to his disciples his imminent Passion, death and resurrection (Mark 8:31-33). This was a real scandal of faith to the disciples. 

Hence, the Transfiguration was meant to sustain the disciples by allowing them to have a glimpse of Christ’s glory, for the cross was not to be the end, but the way to Jesus’ glory. Indeed, there would not have been Easter Sunday, if there was not Good Friday. And Abraham would not have become the ancestor of all believers, if he did not obey God in faith and trust. 

This is to tell us that sometimes, serving God can be horrible and terrifying, as it may demand of us to make nonsensical and painful sacrifices. Moreover, our faces may be disfigured because of pain and tears, because of the trials and difficulties we may have to go through, the crosses we may have to bear. But one thing is sure: God is with us and leading us to glory. If we hold firm in faith and obedience to God, we will exclaim with the psalmist: “I believed, even when I said, ‘I am greatly afflicted’”. May the Lord help us to never lose hope and faith even when things do not go well. Amen