2nd Sunday of Lent
First Reading: Genesis 22:1-2,9-13,15-18
In those days, God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you." When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. The angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, "By myself I have sworn, says the LORD: Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice."
Second Reading: Romans 8:31-34
Brothers and sisters, if God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.
Gospel Reading: Mark 9:2-10
On those days, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.
Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus
Transfiguration reveals the role and function of Jesus and with what category of people he relates. Jesus has already asked the disciples about their opinion about himself. He has asked them about what they thought about him. Here he gives his mind about who he is or what he would do. And all these revelations will have their meaning and sense only after his resurrection. Understanding of Jesus is not given to the disciples immediately Understanding of Jesus and accepting of Jesus is a process.
On the mountain there appeared to them Elijah and Moses. These two were the founders and builders of the Israelite religion and belief in one God. Moses was the first one to propose to the people Yahweh, the one true God. When the people stayed away from this belief Elijah confirmed this same faith in Yahweh at Mount Carmel. Now Jesus has come to lead the people back to this very same faith. And this will be done at resurrection.
Transfiguration reveals the role and function of Jesus and with what category of people he relates. Jesus has already asked the disciples about their opinion about himself. He has asked them about what they thought about him. Here he gives his mind about who he is or what he would do. And all these revelations will have their meaning and sense only after his resurrection. Understanding of Jesus is not given to the disciples immediately Understanding of Jesus and accepting of Jesus is a process.
On the mountain there appeared to them Elijah and Moses. These two were the founders and builders of the Israelite religion and belief in one God. Moses was the first one to propose to the people Yahweh, the one true God. When the people stayed away from this belief Elijah confirmed this same faith in Yahweh at Mount Carmel. Now Jesus has come to lead the people back to this very same faith. And this will be done at resurrection.
