2nd Sunday of Lent- Transformation and Listening to God

From this weekend’s readings (Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18 Rom 8:31b-34 Mk 9:2-10)

Dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ,

The common theme of today’s readings is transformation and listening to God. The readings   invite us to work with the Holy Spirit to transform our lives by renewing them during Lent. The first reading describes the transformation of a pagan patriarch into a believer, the transformation of his name from Abram to Abraham and the first covenant of God with Abraham’s family as a reward for Abraham’s obedience to God. In the second reading, St. Paul says that it is not observance of the Mosaic Law and circumcision that transforms people into Christians. It is the perfect obedience of the word of God in our life. In the Transfiguration account in today’s Gospel, Jesus is revealed as a glorious figure. The primary purpose of Jesus’ Transfiguration was to allow Him to consult his Heavenly Father in order to make sure of His plan upon him in suffering, death and Resurrection. The secondary aim was to make his chosen disciples aware of his Divine glory, so that they might reject their worldly ambitions and dreams of a conquering political Messiah and might strengthen their faith in their time of trial.

Understanding God’s plan for oneself is important for growing in spiritual life. Understanding requires active listening. The gospel reading for the Second Sunday of Lent is all about listening to God and understanding his plan.

Mesmerized by the transfiguration event, Peter came out with a creative proposal. He said, “It is good to be here! Let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah”. However, Peter’s plan was not accepted. Instead God said, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” It is not about making a plan for God but accepting God’s plan. That is the core of Christian spirituality. This idea echoes throughout the Bible. King David, for example, after settling down from war, said to prophet Nathan: “Look, I am living in a palace whereas God is dwelling in a tent. This is not right. I will build a temple for Him”. God disapproved of King David’s idea and said: “Who are you to make a plan for me? I will make a plan for you” (2 Samuel 7: 1ff).

Abraham is a great example of active listening. The obedience of Abraham did not go in vain. God made him the ‘Father of Nations’. On the other hand, seeking plans for oneself independent of God is the beginning of disaster. Adam and Eve set aside God’s plan and listened to Satan (Gen 3:6). The people of Babel set aside God’s plan and set out to make a name for themselves. They all ended up in disaster (Gen 11: 1-10). Adam and Eve were thrown out of Paradise. The people of Babel had to give up their project half way.

Therefore, listen to God, discern his plan and live it faithfully. Renewal starts working in our lives the moment we begin to listen to God and surrender to His plan. We always make a plan for God and wish that God has to act  according to that. If not we are dissatisfied. Instead of looking for God’s plan, in most of our prayers we make a plan for God to act. That is why Jesus taught  us to pray like this “Thy kingdom come thy will be done. ”Blessed Mary is a best example for this. She realized the plan of God upon her about her son Jesus, so she said yes to God’s plan up on her. Because of this, she was able to except her son’s death on the cross. As we read in the book of Romans as a second reading, it says (Roman 8:31), “If God is with us who can stand against us?”. The realization that God is with us helps us to realize the plan of God up on us and to cooperate with God’s’ plan.

May God bless you.

-Fr Johnson