Second Sunday of Lent
Have you ever had a glimpse of God? Perhaps you perceived God’s presence in a quiet moment of prayer, a tender conversation with a loved one, or a difficult situation that was resolved unexpectedly. Peter, James, and John in today’s Gospel were given a glimpse of Christ’s glory on the mountain, as Jesus was transfigured before them. Abram put his faith in God and saw God’s power in a wondrous sign of covenant love. We have the promise of eternal life with God in heaven. This promise brings with it responsibility, as people who are called to live as Christ’s very own in the world. Lent is the perfect time to resolve to listen more attentively to the Lord and follow God’s ways, assured that in doing so, we put our faith in the one, true, and faithful God.
Take a Step
How do you listen to God? While it might seem as though it is impossible to hear God’s voice, the more we listen, the more attuned we become to hearing. We listen in prayer, in reading the Bible and hearing sacred scripture, in the homily, and in the prayers during Mass. We listen in the companionship of other faith-filled friends who share their hopes and dreams with us, and who help us discern what God may be calling us to do. Abram heard God’s voice and opened himself to the unknown. Peter, James, and John followed Jesus, even while still unsure about him or his mission. Each took steps toward faith, and in faith followed God’s way. Whether in times of certainty, when it seems God is everywhere we look, or in those periods when we yearn to know that God is with us, we are called to listen, to trust, and to take steps of faith, modeling our lives on the life and call of Jesus Christ.
Or a Leap
At times, the steps we take feel more like leaps of faith. While we might be called to “walk the walk” of faith in our daily lives, as the apostles and countless other disciples have throughout the ages, there are moments when we may need to step out into an unknown future, as did Abram before us. The glimpses of God’s presence and glory experienced by Abram and the disciples provided needed encouragement at pivotal moments, and especially when it seemed for a while that God was absent. The glimpses we perceive in those moments of closeness with God help us to remain on Christ’s path, especially when we are unsure of what to do next. With the psalmist, take a leap of faith and find hope in the Lord: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?”
Today’s Readings: Gen 15:5–12, 17–18; Ps 27:1, 7–8, 8–9, 13–14; Phil 3:17 — 4:1 [3:20 — 4:1]; Lk 9:28b–36