2nd Sunday of Lent: He is the One

The first reading tells us of God's promise to Abram that he will be the father of many descendants; as many as the stars in the universe.  Today we are barely scratching the surface of what is out there beyond our world. We can only estimate that there are billions upon billions of stars out there. That is a large number. Well, Abram would be father to many descendents as the stars in the universe (Genesis 17:5). This is the introduction to God's involvement in the lives of men and ushering their redemption in Jesus. We who are the descendents of Abram prepare for the slavation of the Lord who is our light as we read in the responsorial Psalm.

The Lord is my light and my salvation.  Who else is there?  There is no other God (Isaiah 45:5). God is God of the gods man invented and Lord of lords.  There is no one whom we should fear (Psalm 27:1).  It is God who calls us, protects us and has pity on us.  We must wait for the Lord, do HIs will and live according to HIs statutes.  We must imitators of Christ who the disciples imitated as we readin the second reading.

We must imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).  Comport ourselves like Christians and not like the heathen.  We must not be like the non-believers, heretics and dissidents who conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Atheists and others love to mock Christians. They create all kinds of images, billboards and efigees in order to mock Christ.  Let them.  They set up their own destruction. Their glory is shame, not dignity. They are the trolls of life who have no purpose and wander the Earth like mindless zombies looking to attack (Luke 23:34).  They are focused no worldly things while we are focused on our citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3:20). God will save us, rescue us and transform our bodies like that Christ's glorified body.  We bear now the suffering from this world and await until all things are subject to Christ.

In the Gospel, we read of the Transfiguration.  This mysterious event where Christ tranforms. We are reminded of the revelation of Christ's Divine Glory on Mount Tabor before Peter, John and James.  Jesus' face became bright like the sun, His clothes were white as snow and Moses and Elijah appeared beside Him.   Moses represents the law and Elijah the prophets of the old covenant. Jesus brings the old with the new and fulfills both (Matthew 5:17).

This event showed the disciples present that Jesus was the real deal, so to speak.  Jesus is God (John 1:1).  The brightness is a visual manifestation of His Divinity and the white-as-snow garments show His pureness.  He is man as well but a man without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). The Father confirms that this Jesus is no mere mortal, but His son whom we must listen to. Let us listen to the Lord during this Lenten season and every season of the Church. Christ is the only path to salvation (Acts 4:12).    






Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022116.cfm