Second Sunday of Lent
Readings for the Second Sunday of Lent[1]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Gn 15:5-12, 17-18
We hear, in this reading, of the ritual formalization of the covenant between God and Abram (before his name was changed to Abraham). A 3 year old animal was ritually mature, and the animals being cut in half is preserved today as a sign of that covenant. We see it in the sacrifice of the Mass when the Priest breaks the large host in half and pronounces the words; “This is the Lamb of God…” While it is not explicit in this text, Abram probably walked between the halves of the sacrifice to symbolize what happened to them would also happen to him if he failed in his part of the bargan.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Similar in tenor to Psalm 23, we hear in this passage both a profession of faith (“The Lord is my light and my salvation”) and a plea for help (“Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call;”). Taken in total it is a consolation for all who have faith. This psalm is also the first option in vigil services for deceased found in the Rite of Christian Funerals.
Reading II Phil 3:17—4:1
The longer form of this reading provides a contrast for the faithful. In the first part of the reading (Phil 3:17-20) identifies those who “…conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ.” They do so by focusing their efforts on themselves (their stomach, their glory, earthly things).
Or Phil 3:20---4:1
The second part of Paul’s scripture reading is the promise to the faithful members of the community. The promise is that, in the end, they will be conformed to Christ in spirit and body.
Gospel Lk 9:28b-36
We are given St. Luke’s story about the Transfiguration. Jesus goes up a mountain (to a high place – representative of Hebrew altars or places of worship; frequently identified as “high places.”) with Peter James and John. His appearance changed and the disciples observe him conversing about “his exodus” (Jesus’ exodus would be the Passion to which he was moving) with Moses and Elijah.
The disciples response to this vision was first to “make three tents” alluding to the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles placing the Lord on the same plane as Moses and Elijah. Before any response was made, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them and God’s voice came from the cloud, announcing “This is my chosen Son, listen to him.” Jesus is elevated above Moses and Elijah to a place with God Himself.
It is clear from this story and the other Transfiguration accounts that this event was kept secret until after Jesus death and resurrection. It was after that time that the true significance of the event was understood by the Christian community and the event placed in its proper position chronologically.
Reflection:
Let’s take the main themes from each of the readings today and just free associate them for a moment. First we have the Abram forming a covenant with God. The ritual is defined and the gift of God is bestowed – God gives Abram the promise of a multitude of descendents and the land for them to occupy. The key theme from this scripture passage is God’s love for his people.
Next we have the Psalm that is a profession of faith and a plea for peace and salvation in the face of challenges. This is followed immediately by St. Paul telling the Philippians that their focus must be on Jesus and their reward would be transformation.
Finally we are given the story of Jesus’ transfiguration and the revelation from God who tells us in this account; “This is my chosen Son, listen to him.” It is interesting to note that in the Jerusalem Bible translation (click on the link provided above) this passage is translated: “This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him”
On this, the Second Sunday of Lent, what message should we take away? Should we reflect on the significance of God’s covenant with Abram? Should we embrace the idea that we walk between the two pieces of the Lord’s body broken for us in the new covenant? Should we ask ourselves, how much mercy God has shown us by not holding us accountable (in this life) for not being able to live up to our part of the bargain?
Or, should we focus instead on Paul’s lesson? Should we be asking ourselves if we are acting as enemies of the Cross of Christ? Are we, even during our Lenten fast, still focused on our stomachs, our own glory, or on earthly things?
The final possibility is to reflect upon Christ’s glorified and transformed body. Understand that it was this transfiguration that was the forerunner to his resurrection into heaven and it was in this transfigured body he returned to his disciples. It is this transfigured flesh and blood that returns to us in the blessed sacrifice of the Eucharist.
Taken one at a time, these themes stand independently. There is of course a common thread that runs from the covenant of Moses through the New Covenant in Jesus to the exhortation to us to be like Christ. We pray today that we may facilitate that transfiguration we hope for ourselves that we might be made worthy of the New Covenant in Christ.
Pax
Readings for the Second Sunday of Lent[1]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Gn 15:5-12, 17-18
We hear, in this reading, of the ritual formalization of the covenant between God and Abram (before his name was changed to Abraham). A 3 year old animal was ritually mature, and the animals being cut in half is preserved today as a sign of that covenant. We see it in the sacrifice of the Mass when the Priest breaks the large host in half and pronounces the words; “This is the Lamb of God…” While it is not explicit in this text, Abram probably walked between the halves of the sacrifice to symbolize what happened to them would also happen to him if he failed in his part of the bargan.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Similar in tenor to Psalm 23, we hear in this passage both a profession of faith (“The Lord is my light and my salvation”) and a plea for help (“Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call;”). Taken in total it is a consolation for all who have faith. This psalm is also the first option in vigil services for deceased found in the Rite of Christian Funerals.
Reading II Phil 3:17—4:1
The longer form of this reading provides a contrast for the faithful. In the first part of the reading (Phil 3:17-20) identifies those who “…conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ.” They do so by focusing their efforts on themselves (their stomach, their glory, earthly things).
Or Phil 3:20---4:1
The second part of Paul’s scripture reading is the promise to the faithful members of the community. The promise is that, in the end, they will be conformed to Christ in spirit and body.
Gospel Lk 9:28b-36
We are given St. Luke’s story about the Transfiguration. Jesus goes up a mountain (to a high place – representative of Hebrew altars or places of worship; frequently identified as “high places.”) with Peter James and John. His appearance changed and the disciples observe him conversing about “his exodus” (Jesus’ exodus would be the Passion to which he was moving) with Moses and Elijah.
The disciples response to this vision was first to “make three tents” alluding to the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles placing the Lord on the same plane as Moses and Elijah. Before any response was made, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them and God’s voice came from the cloud, announcing “This is my chosen Son, listen to him.” Jesus is elevated above Moses and Elijah to a place with God Himself.
It is clear from this story and the other Transfiguration accounts that this event was kept secret until after Jesus death and resurrection. It was after that time that the true significance of the event was understood by the Christian community and the event placed in its proper position chronologically.
Reflection:
Let’s take the main themes from each of the readings today and just free associate them for a moment. First we have the Abram forming a covenant with God. The ritual is defined and the gift of God is bestowed – God gives Abram the promise of a multitude of descendents and the land for them to occupy. The key theme from this scripture passage is God’s love for his people.
Next we have the Psalm that is a profession of faith and a plea for peace and salvation in the face of challenges. This is followed immediately by St. Paul telling the Philippians that their focus must be on Jesus and their reward would be transformation.
Finally we are given the story of Jesus’ transfiguration and the revelation from God who tells us in this account; “This is my chosen Son, listen to him.” It is interesting to note that in the Jerusalem Bible translation (click on the link provided above) this passage is translated: “This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him”
On this, the Second Sunday of Lent, what message should we take away? Should we reflect on the significance of God’s covenant with Abram? Should we embrace the idea that we walk between the two pieces of the Lord’s body broken for us in the new covenant? Should we ask ourselves, how much mercy God has shown us by not holding us accountable (in this life) for not being able to live up to our part of the bargain?
Or, should we focus instead on Paul’s lesson? Should we be asking ourselves if we are acting as enemies of the Cross of Christ? Are we, even during our Lenten fast, still focused on our stomachs, our own glory, or on earthly things?
The final possibility is to reflect upon Christ’s glorified and transformed body. Understand that it was this transfiguration that was the forerunner to his resurrection into heaven and it was in this transfigured body he returned to his disciples. It is this transfigured flesh and blood that returns to us in the blessed sacrifice of the Eucharist.
Taken one at a time, these themes stand independently. There is of course a common thread that runs from the covenant of Moses through the New Covenant in Jesus to the exhortation to us to be like Christ. We pray today that we may facilitate that transfiguration we hope for ourselves that we might be made worthy of the New Covenant in Christ.
Pax
Note: The two images inserted today are draft charcoals by Matthias Grünewald and titled "An Apostle from the Transfiguration" c. 1511
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