Readings for the Second Sunday of Lent[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Genesis 12:1-4a
The genealogy of the Hebrew generations that ended with Abram and his wife migrating to the land of Ur (Genesis 11: 27ff) sets this reading as a formal introduction. Abram (later Abraham) is chosen by God to become a great leader of people in holiness.
The blessing provided here is discussed at some length in the notes on this section: “Shall find blessing in you: the sense of the Hebrew expression is probably reflexive, "shall bless themselves through you" (i.e., in giving a blessing they shall say, "May you be as blessed as Abraham"), rather than passive, "shall be blessed in you." Since the term is understood in a passive sense in the New Testament (Acts 3:25; Gal 3:8), it is rendered here by a neutral expression that admits of both meanings. So also in the blessings given by God to Isaac (Genesis 26:4) and Jacob (Genesis 28:14).”
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Psalm 33 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. In these strophes the sense of God’s adoption of his chosen ones is expressed as the singer rejoices in the interdependence of the people and God’s love.
Reading II 2 Timothy 1:8b-10
St. Paul encourages Timothy to be outspoken for the sake of the Gospel which was entrusted to him through the “imposition of my hands.” He also tells his protégé not to worry because redemption is a free gift of Christ, not won by personal deeds.
Gospel Matthew 17:1-9
This is St. Matthew’s account of the transfiguration of Jesus. This event, recounted in all three of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) confirms Jesus is the Son of God. While some scholars point to this as possibly inserted here as a post-resurrection redaction, modern thought is that, because of Old Testament images and Jewish non-canonical apocalyptic images expressed in the brilliant light, white garments and overshadowing cloud, that the event is appropriately placed in Jesus timeline.
In this account especially we are reminded of the Baptismal event as God’s proclamation is the same as that recounted as Jesus came up from the Jordan “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
Reflection:
Our focus during the beginning week of the Lenten Season has been to get into our personal discipline. We may have struggled a little as we refocus our prayer on penitential journey. The time table seems so compressed because of how early the season has come this year. Given the readings from Sacred Scripture we are given today we feel like we need to hurry to catch up with our internal transformation – the emptying theme of the first half of Lent.
We hear at the beginning how Abram was selected by God to become the great patriarch of the Hebrew people. It seems clear from the context within which this event occurs that the genealogy from the previous chapter must have been developed to fill the gap between the collective memory of the tower of Babel and the appearance of Abram. We get the feeling of God’s adoptive reach extended as we hear how God’s plan is expressed.
Through all of sacred history the touch points are brought out as we fast forward to the Transfiguration event in St. Matthew’s Gospel. In it we find two other great figures also selected by God to play roles in His plan of salvation, Moses and Elijah. The epic time scale of God’s love is kind of bookmarked with the appearance of these patriarchs with Jesus as he is once more identified as God’s Son – the final intervention by the Father to reveal his plan for us.
It is almost like the “Readers Digest” version of salvation history placed in front of us. And what is the goal this action is pointed at? One method used in business to see where a company is headed is to look at the major decisions it has made in the past. By taking all of these significant points out and letting them speak for themselves we can see an overall direction or character. We can do the same with the “touch points” given in salvation history today.
God’s creation was documented in the first part of Genesis. It was clear how he struggled with his human creation. At times we marvel at his patience as His obstinate creation seemed bent on ignoring every good thing the Father tried to place in its path. Finally he selects Abram to start on the long journey of revelation. It was clear that our grasp of His plan would take eons to be perceived. Along that path he placed heroic figures; Moses the giver of the Law, and Elijah preeminent among the Prophets guiding the people toward an understanding of the Father’s plan.
Finally, when it must have appeared that his children were once again going to miss the point, He sent his only Son to complete the work started at the beginning of creation. The tableau placed before Jesus disciples on that mountain was indeed revelatory. Here was Jesus of whom God said; “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, listen to Him.” They see with him Moses symbolizing the Law and Elijah symbolizing the Prophets coming together with him, in him. Jesus is the ultimate revelatory event. We see in microcosm his plan from the beginning to that point in time and see also where it is pointing.
Christ is God’s love poured out for us. His presence then and now directs us to that state where we too can grasp the total of God’s vision for us and see the peace His kingdom.
Back now to the present, what are we to be pursuing with our Lenten discipline? This on-going attempt on our part to transform ourselves is spurred forward by a reminder of the great plan the Father has for us. If we were tentative in our efforts in the first week, these reminders of the plan the Lord has for us should stimulate us to greater action through prayer, fasting, and alms giving.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “The Transfiguration” by Pietro Perugino, 1498
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Genesis 12:1-4a
The genealogy of the Hebrew generations that ended with Abram and his wife migrating to the land of Ur (Genesis 11: 27ff) sets this reading as a formal introduction. Abram (later Abraham) is chosen by God to become a great leader of people in holiness.
The blessing provided here is discussed at some length in the notes on this section: “Shall find blessing in you: the sense of the Hebrew expression is probably reflexive, "shall bless themselves through you" (i.e., in giving a blessing they shall say, "May you be as blessed as Abraham"), rather than passive, "shall be blessed in you." Since the term is understood in a passive sense in the New Testament (Acts 3:25; Gal 3:8), it is rendered here by a neutral expression that admits of both meanings. So also in the blessings given by God to Isaac (Genesis 26:4) and Jacob (Genesis 28:14).”
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Psalm 33 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. In these strophes the sense of God’s adoption of his chosen ones is expressed as the singer rejoices in the interdependence of the people and God’s love.
Reading II 2 Timothy 1:8b-10
St. Paul encourages Timothy to be outspoken for the sake of the Gospel which was entrusted to him through the “imposition of my hands.” He also tells his protégé not to worry because redemption is a free gift of Christ, not won by personal deeds.
Gospel Matthew 17:1-9
This is St. Matthew’s account of the transfiguration of Jesus. This event, recounted in all three of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) confirms Jesus is the Son of God. While some scholars point to this as possibly inserted here as a post-resurrection redaction, modern thought is that, because of Old Testament images and Jewish non-canonical apocalyptic images expressed in the brilliant light, white garments and overshadowing cloud, that the event is appropriately placed in Jesus timeline.
In this account especially we are reminded of the Baptismal event as God’s proclamation is the same as that recounted as Jesus came up from the Jordan “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
Reflection:
Our focus during the beginning week of the Lenten Season has been to get into our personal discipline. We may have struggled a little as we refocus our prayer on penitential journey. The time table seems so compressed because of how early the season has come this year. Given the readings from Sacred Scripture we are given today we feel like we need to hurry to catch up with our internal transformation – the emptying theme of the first half of Lent.
We hear at the beginning how Abram was selected by God to become the great patriarch of the Hebrew people. It seems clear from the context within which this event occurs that the genealogy from the previous chapter must have been developed to fill the gap between the collective memory of the tower of Babel and the appearance of Abram. We get the feeling of God’s adoptive reach extended as we hear how God’s plan is expressed.
Through all of sacred history the touch points are brought out as we fast forward to the Transfiguration event in St. Matthew’s Gospel. In it we find two other great figures also selected by God to play roles in His plan of salvation, Moses and Elijah. The epic time scale of God’s love is kind of bookmarked with the appearance of these patriarchs with Jesus as he is once more identified as God’s Son – the final intervention by the Father to reveal his plan for us.
It is almost like the “Readers Digest” version of salvation history placed in front of us. And what is the goal this action is pointed at? One method used in business to see where a company is headed is to look at the major decisions it has made in the past. By taking all of these significant points out and letting them speak for themselves we can see an overall direction or character. We can do the same with the “touch points” given in salvation history today.
God’s creation was documented in the first part of Genesis. It was clear how he struggled with his human creation. At times we marvel at his patience as His obstinate creation seemed bent on ignoring every good thing the Father tried to place in its path. Finally he selects Abram to start on the long journey of revelation. It was clear that our grasp of His plan would take eons to be perceived. Along that path he placed heroic figures; Moses the giver of the Law, and Elijah preeminent among the Prophets guiding the people toward an understanding of the Father’s plan.
Finally, when it must have appeared that his children were once again going to miss the point, He sent his only Son to complete the work started at the beginning of creation. The tableau placed before Jesus disciples on that mountain was indeed revelatory. Here was Jesus of whom God said; “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, listen to Him.” They see with him Moses symbolizing the Law and Elijah symbolizing the Prophets coming together with him, in him. Jesus is the ultimate revelatory event. We see in microcosm his plan from the beginning to that point in time and see also where it is pointing.
Christ is God’s love poured out for us. His presence then and now directs us to that state where we too can grasp the total of God’s vision for us and see the peace His kingdom.
Back now to the present, what are we to be pursuing with our Lenten discipline? This on-going attempt on our part to transform ourselves is spurred forward by a reminder of the great plan the Father has for us. If we were tentative in our efforts in the first week, these reminders of the plan the Lord has for us should stimulate us to greater action through prayer, fasting, and alms giving.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “The Transfiguration” by Pietro Perugino, 1498
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