Second Sunday of Lent
Lectionary: 26
Lectionary: 26
God put Abraham to the test.
He called to him, "Abraham!"
"Here I am!" he replied.
Then God said:
"Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love,
and go to the land of Moriah.
There you shall offer him up as a holocaust
on a height that I will point out to you."
When they came to the place of which God had told him,
Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.
Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.
But the LORD's messenger called to him from heaven,
"Abraham, Abraham!"
"Here I am!" he answered.
"Do not lay your hand on the boy," said the messenger.
"Do not do the least thing to him.
I know now how devoted you are to God,
since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son."
As Abraham looked about,
he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket.
So he went and took the ram
and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son.
Again the LORD's messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said:
"I swear by myself, declares the LORD,
that because you acted as you did
in not withholding from me your beloved son,
I will bless you abundantly
and make your descendants as countless
as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore;
your descendants shall take possession
of the gates of their enemies,
and in your descendants all the nations of the earth
shall find blessing—
all this because you obeyed my command."
He called to him, "Abraham!"
"Here I am!" he replied.
Then God said:
"Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love,
and go to the land of Moriah.
There you shall offer him up as a holocaust
on a height that I will point out to you."
When they came to the place of which God had told him,
Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.
Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.
But the LORD's messenger called to him from heaven,
"Abraham, Abraham!"
"Here I am!" he answered.
"Do not lay your hand on the boy," said the messenger.
"Do not do the least thing to him.
I know now how devoted you are to God,
since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son."
As Abraham looked about,
he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket.
So he went and took the ram
and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son.
Again the LORD's messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said:
"I swear by myself, declares the LORD,
that because you acted as you did
in not withholding from me your beloved son,
I will bless you abundantly
and make your descendants as countless
as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore;
your descendants shall take possession
of the gates of their enemies,
and in your descendants all the nations of the earth
shall find blessing—
all this because you obeyed my command."
Responsorial
PsalmPS 116:10, 15, 16-17,
18-19
R. (116:9) I
will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
I believed, even when I said,
"I am greatly afflicted."
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people,
In the courts of the house of the LORD,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
I believed, even when I said,
"I am greatly afflicted."
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people,
In the courts of the house of the LORD,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
Reading 2 ROM 8:31B-34
Brothers and sisters:
If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son
but handed him over for us all,
how will he not also give us everything else along with him?
Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones?
It is God who acquits us, who will condemn?
Christ Jesus it is who died—or, rather, was raised—
who also is at the right hand of God,
who indeed intercedes for us.
If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son
but handed him over for us all,
how will he not also give us everything else along with him?
Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones?
It is God who acquits us, who will condemn?
Christ Jesus it is who died—or, rather, was raised—
who also is at the right hand of God,
who indeed intercedes for us.
Verse Before
The Gospel CF. MT 17:5
From the shining cloud the Father's voice is heard:
This is my beloved Son, listen to him.
This is my beloved Son, listen to him.
GospelMK 9:2-10
Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
"Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
from the cloud came a voice,
"This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."
Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
"Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
from the cloud came a voice,
"This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."
Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.
Meditation: "This
is My Son, the Beloved - Listen to Him!"
What can blind us or keep us from recognizing
God's glory and presence in our lives? Sin and unbelief for sure! Faith enables
us to see what is hidden or unseen to the naked eye. Through the eyes of faith
Abraham recognized God and God's call on his life. He saw from afar not only
what God intended for him, but for his descendants as well - an everlasting
covenant of friendship and peace with the living God. Abraham is the father of
faith because he put his hope in the promises of God. Faith makes us taste in
advance the light of God's glory when we shall see him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2).
The Lord Jesus reveals his glory in fulfilling his
Father's will
Are you prepared to see God's glory? God is eager to share his glory with us! We get a glimpse of this when the disciples see Jesus transfigured on the mountain. Jesus' face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white (Mark 9:2,3).
Are you prepared to see God's glory? God is eager to share his glory with us! We get a glimpse of this when the disciples see Jesus transfigured on the mountain. Jesus' face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white (Mark 9:2,3).
When Moses met with God on Mount Sinai the
skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God (see
Exodus 34:29). Paul says that the Israelites could not look at Moses'
face because of its brightness (2
Corinthians 3:7). In the Gospel account Jesus appeared in
glory with Moses, the great lawgiver of Israel, and with Elijah, the greatest
of the prophets, in the presence of three of his beloved apostles - Peter,
James, and John.
What is the significance of this mysterious
appearance? Jesus went to the mountain knowing full well what awaited him in
Jerusalem - his betrayal, rejection and crucifixion. Jesus very likely
discussed this momentous decision to go to the cross with Moses and Elijah. God
the Father also spoke with Jesus and gave his approval: This is my
beloved Son; listen to him. The Father glorified his Son because he
obeyed. The cloud which overshadowed Jesus and his apostles fulfilled the dream
of the Jews that when the Messiah came the cloud of God's presence would fill
the temple again (see
Exodus 16:10, 19:9, 33:9; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Maccabees 2:8). Jesus is the True
Temple come down from heaven who reveals the glory of God to us (John 1:14 and
John 2:19, Matthew 12:6), and who opens the way for us to worship the living
God in spirit and truth (John 4:21-26).
The Lord wants to share his glory with each of us
The Lord Jesus not only wants us to see his glory - he wants to share this glory with us. And Jesus shows us the way to the Father's glory: follow me - obey my words - take the path I have chosen for you and you will receive the glory and blessings of my Father's kingdom - your names will be written in heaven (Luke 10:20).
The Lord Jesus not only wants us to see his glory - he wants to share this glory with us. And Jesus shows us the way to the Father's glory: follow me - obey my words - take the path I have chosen for you and you will receive the glory and blessings of my Father's kingdom - your names will be written in heaven (Luke 10:20).
Jesus succeeded in his mission because he willingly
went to Calvary (where he offered up his life for us on the cross), so that
Paradise (our true dwelling place with God) would be restored to us once again.
He embraced the cross to obtain the crown of glory that awaits each one of us.
If we hope to share fully in his glory, we, too, must follow him in the way of
the cross - by dying to sin and embracing his will for our lives. This is the
only true path that leads to everlasting peace and joy with God.
Origen (185-254 AD), an early church Scripture scholar
and writer, describes how we are changed and transformed into Christ's likeness
as we we look to him day by day with faith and honesty and strive to walk
according to the light of his truth and righteousness (moral goodness):
"When he is transfigured, his face also shines as
the sun that he may be manifested to the children of light who have put off the
works of darkness and put on the armor of light, and are no longer the children
of darkness or night but have become the sons of day, and walk honestly as in
the day. Being manifest, he will shine unto them not simply as the sun, but as
demonstrated to be the sun of righteousness." [Commentary on Matthew 12:37 by Origen]
Stay awake spiritually - Don't miss God's glory and
action
Luke's Gospel account tells us that while Jesus was transfigured, Peter, James, and John were asleep (Luke 9:32)! Upon awakening they discovered Jesus in glory along with Moses and Elijah. How much do we miss of God's glory and action because we are asleep spiritually? There are many things which can keep our minds asleep to the things of God: Mental lethargy and the "unexamined life" can keep us from thinking things through and facing our doubts and questions in the light of Christ's truth. The life of ease can also hinder us from considering the challenging or disturbing demands of Christ to forsake all for him and his kingdom. Prejudice can make us blind to something new the Lord may have for us. Even sorrow can be a block until we can see past it to the glory of God.
Luke's Gospel account tells us that while Jesus was transfigured, Peter, James, and John were asleep (Luke 9:32)! Upon awakening they discovered Jesus in glory along with Moses and Elijah. How much do we miss of God's glory and action because we are asleep spiritually? There are many things which can keep our minds asleep to the things of God: Mental lethargy and the "unexamined life" can keep us from thinking things through and facing our doubts and questions in the light of Christ's truth. The life of ease can also hinder us from considering the challenging or disturbing demands of Christ to forsake all for him and his kingdom. Prejudice can make us blind to something new the Lord may have for us. Even sorrow can be a block until we can see past it to the glory of God.
How spiritually awake are you to Christ's presence and
word of life for you? Peter, James, and John were privileged witnesses of the
glory of Christ. We, too, as disciples of Christ are called to be witnesses of
his glory.We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are
being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this
comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Lord
wants to reveal his glory to us, his beloved disciples. Do you seek his
presence with expectant faith, reverence, and willing obedience?
"Lord Jesus, keep me always alert and awake to
you, to your word, your action, and your daily presence in my life. Let me see
your glory."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: The transfiguration of Jesus, by
Jerome (347-420 AD)
"Do you wish to see the transfiguration of Jesus?
Behold with me the Jesus of the Gospels. Let him be simply apprehended. There
he is beheld both 'according to the flesh' and at the same time in his true
divinity. He is beheld in the form of God according to our capacity for
knowledge. This is how he was beheld by those who went up upon the lofty
mountain to be apart with him. Meanwhile those who do not go up the mountain
can still behold his works and hear his words, which are uplifting. It is
before those who go up that Jesus is transfigured, and not to those below. When
he is transfigured, his face shines as the sun, that he may be manifested to
the children of light, who have put off the works of darkness and put on the
armor of light (Romans 13:12). They are no longer the children of darkness or night
but have become the children of day. They walk honestly as in the day. Being
manifested, he will shine to them not simply as the sun but as he is
demonstrated to be, the sun of righteousness." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 12.37.10)
2nd Sunday of Lent – Cycle B
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Genesis 22:1b-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Today as we enter the 2nd Sunday of Lent, a time in which we concentrate on building our faith through penance and sacrifice (what have you offered up for Lent?), we hear of Abraham’s faith and the test to which God put that faith. This story is the tenth and greatest trial of Abraham’s trials; the number 10 in Hebrew numerology being the number of testimony (law and responsibility). It is the trial of offering his son as sacrifice. Recall that the 10th trial of the pharaoh and Egypt was also the offering of the first born as sacrifice.
This story shows that God is Lord whose demands are absolute, whose will is inscrutable, and whose final word is grace. Abraham shows the moral grandeur of the founder of Israel, facing God, willing to obey God’s word in all its mysterious harshness. The father’s very life is bound up with that of his son and heir; Abraham entrusts his life and his future unconditionally to the God who calls him. Rather than just the selected verses for today’s reading, we will read the entire story.
2:1b God put Abraham to the test.
We, as readers, have an advantage over Abraham, who doesn’t look at it as a test, but rather as a command.
He called to him, “Abraham!” “Ready!” he replied. 2 Then God said: “Take your son
Isaac, your only one, whom you love,
The name Isaac means “laughter,” for the reason for this name, see Genesis 18:10-15. God identifies the son as his “only son” because Ishmael has already been lost in Abraham’s eyes because he and his mother have been sent away (Genesis 21:10) and are living in the desert of Beersheba (the northern Sinai peninsula). Isaac is from Sara, Abraham’s wife while Ishmael (the firstborn) is from Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant.
and go to the land of Moriah.
2 Chronicles 3:1 tells us that in the time of King Solomon the temple was built upon Moriah. Hebrew legend tells us this of Moriah: “When Noah the righteous left the ark, after the waters of the flood had receded and the face of the earth was revealed, he came with his sons first to Mount Moriah. There they sacrificed a thank offering to the Lord, on the same spot where Adam had sacrificed and where Abraham, generations later, bought his offering. It is told that when Abraham and Isaac reached Mount Moriah, the Holy One, blessed be He, pointed out the altar to Abraham and said: ‘There is the altar! Upon this altar did Adam, Cain, and Abel place their offerings! Upon this altar did Noah and his sons place their offerings!’ On a nearby hill, Shem, the son of Noah, interred the skull of Adam, which he had taken with him into the ark and guarded during the flood. Since then the hill is called Golgotha – the Skull” (Zev Vilnay, Legends of Jerusalem, Jewish Publication Society of America, Philadelphia, 1973, page 70).
There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you.”
A holocaust is a whole burned sacrifice; it was irrevocable. Isaac must have been at least a teenager at this point because, as we learn in a few verses, he carried the wood up the mountain (a figure of Christ carrying His cross) while Abraham carried the fire (matches hadn’t been invented yet) and the knife.
3 Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey, took with him his son Isaac, and two of his servants as well, and with the wood that he had cut for the holocaust, set out for the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar. 5 Then he said to his servants: “Both of you stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over yonder. We will worship and then come back to you.” 6 Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the holocaust and laid it on his son Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. 7 As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham. “Father!” he said. “Yes, son,” he replied. Isaac continued, “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the holocaust?” 8 “Son,” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust.” Then the two continued going forward. 9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.
This was a three-day journey at the end of which a type of resurrection takes place. Isaac has been dead in Abraham’s eyes since the journey began. When the sacrifice is halted, he lives again.
Next he tied up his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar. 10 Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the LORD’S messenger called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 12 “Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger. “Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.”
He has obeyed perfectly. Abraham truly fears (reverential awe, not terror) God. He has learned to give up control over his own life that he might receive it as a grace.
13 As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram
The ram was, in later times, the usual victim for a holocaust offering (Leviticus 1:10-13).
caught by its horns in the thicket.
Hebrew legend says that one horn was cut off to free the ram and this became the first shofar (the trumpet used to call the people to prayer and to war).
So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son. 14 Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh; hence people now say, “On the mountain the
LORD will see.”
Abraham called this place “Yahweh-jireh” which means “God will provide” (will see to it). This place is known today as jireh-shalom (Jerusalem).
15 Again the LORD’S messenger called to Abraham from heaven 16 and said: “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, 17 I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, 18 and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing – all this because you obeyed my command.”
God is making a covenant with Abraham by swearing the oath. Since there is no one higher, He must swear by Himself. In swearing the oath, God pronounces curses upon Himself if He doesn’t keep the covenant. This is the third covenant God makes with Abraham. In Genesis 12:2-3 God promised Abram (his name before it was changed to Abraham) three things:
1) Land (nation). This was the subject of the covenant of Genesis 15 and was fulfilled in Moses.
2) Royal dynasty (name). This was the subject of the covenant of Genesis 17:1-19 and was fulfilled in David.
3) Worldwide blessing. This was the subject of the covenant made here and was fulfilled in Jesus the Christ.
2nd Reading - Romans 8:31b-34
Our second reading today is a hymn-like passage telling about the love of God which was made manifest in Christ.
31b If God is for us, who can be against us?
A rhetorical question. God’s plan of salvation makes it clear to Christians that God is on their side.
32 He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all,
In our first reading, God spared Isaac, the type of Christ. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son (his only one, the one he loved) but God, the just judge, had even then pronounced sentence in our favor.
how will he not also give us everything else along with him? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us.
Again, a rhetorical question with the implied answer in the negative
34 Who will condemn? It is Christ (Jesus) who died, rather, was raised,
This is a rare reference for Saint Paul to the exaltation of Christ, it does not allude to the ascension.
who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.
The glorified Christ still continues the objective aspect of human redemption – he still presents His sacrifice to the Father on the behalf of all Christians. This is the function of the High Priest.
Gospel - Mark 9:2-10
Today’s gospel reading is the familiar account of the transfiguration – an event which is reported in all three synoptic gospels (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36) and is alluded to in John (1:14).
The time is a little less than one year before Jesus’ sacrifice on the altar of the cross. He has fed the five thousand and the four thousand and Peter has made what is called his “confession of faith” (erroneously, I believe, as faith is little involved – divine revelation is).
2 Jesus took Peter, James, and John
The inner circle of His apostles – only these three are close with Jesus here, at the healing of Jairus’ daughter, and at Gethsemani. Luke says that Jesus went up the mountain to pray, Mark and Matthew don’t tell us why He went up.
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
Mountains are the usual settings for supernatural revelations and theophanies. Traditional identifications of the mountain are Harmon and Tabor; the actual location is unknown and is unimportant.
And he was transfigured before them,
The Greek metamorphothe literally describes it. In Latin trans means radical change and figura means external appearance or body. The disciples are granted a glimpse of Him in His glorified state, which is to be His eternal state after His death and resurrection.
3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Absolutely pure
4 Then Elijah appeared to them
The representative of the Prophets. His assumption into heaven is recorded in 2 Kings 2:11.
along with Moses,
The representative of the Law. Hebrew legend has it that Moses was also assumed into heaven, thus explaining his appearance here in a recognizable bodily form. The Hebrew scriptures, the Law and the Prophets, are fully represented. They witness the fulfillment of what they represent and foretell.
and they were conversing with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Tents (booths) were used at the feast of Tabernacles. Peter may feel that the end times are here [Hosea 12:9b (12:10b in the New American Bible and the New Jerusalem Bible)] and wants to eternalize the experience.
6 He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Peter is at a loss for words, just like at Gethsemani.
7 Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
Just like in the Old Testament theophanies (and also at the Annunciation) the cloud is a representation of God and the overshadowing denotes occupation or indwelling. “It seems to me that this cloud is the grace of the Holy Spirit. Naturally, a tent gives shelter and overshadows those who are within; the cloud, therefore, serves the purpose of the tents. O Peter, you who want to set up three tents, have regard for the one tent of the Holy Spirit who shelters us equally” (Saint Jerome, Homily 80).
then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son.
The same words as at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:17)
Listen to him.”
Jesus is a prophet like Moses whose teaching must be heeded under penalty of extermination from God’s people. Just like at the wedding feast of Cana, “Do whatever He tells you.”
8 Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.
Moses and Elijah have relinquished their place to Jesus alone.
9 As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
The descent from the mountain and the command to secrecy are elements of Old Testament theophany patterns [Exodus 32:15 (coming down); Daniel 12:4, 9 (silence)].
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Unlike other commands to silence in Mark, this one has a special time limit – Christ’s resurrection.
10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.
The disciples’ problem was how Jesus could be raised from the dead before and apart from the general resurrection which was to occur at the coming of God’s kingdom.
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Genesis 22:1b-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Today as we enter the 2nd Sunday of Lent, a time in which we concentrate on building our faith through penance and sacrifice (what have you offered up for Lent?), we hear of Abraham’s faith and the test to which God put that faith. This story is the tenth and greatest trial of Abraham’s trials; the number 10 in Hebrew numerology being the number of testimony (law and responsibility). It is the trial of offering his son as sacrifice. Recall that the 10th trial of the pharaoh and Egypt was also the offering of the first born as sacrifice.
This story shows that God is Lord whose demands are absolute, whose will is inscrutable, and whose final word is grace. Abraham shows the moral grandeur of the founder of Israel, facing God, willing to obey God’s word in all its mysterious harshness. The father’s very life is bound up with that of his son and heir; Abraham entrusts his life and his future unconditionally to the God who calls him. Rather than just the selected verses for today’s reading, we will read the entire story.
2:1b God put Abraham to the test.
We, as readers, have an advantage over Abraham, who doesn’t look at it as a test, but rather as a command.
He called to him, “Abraham!” “Ready!” he replied. 2 Then God said: “Take your son
Isaac, your only one, whom you love,
The name Isaac means “laughter,” for the reason for this name, see Genesis 18:10-15. God identifies the son as his “only son” because Ishmael has already been lost in Abraham’s eyes because he and his mother have been sent away (Genesis 21:10) and are living in the desert of Beersheba (the northern Sinai peninsula). Isaac is from Sara, Abraham’s wife while Ishmael (the firstborn) is from Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant.
and go to the land of Moriah.
2 Chronicles 3:1 tells us that in the time of King Solomon the temple was built upon Moriah. Hebrew legend tells us this of Moriah: “When Noah the righteous left the ark, after the waters of the flood had receded and the face of the earth was revealed, he came with his sons first to Mount Moriah. There they sacrificed a thank offering to the Lord, on the same spot where Adam had sacrificed and where Abraham, generations later, bought his offering. It is told that when Abraham and Isaac reached Mount Moriah, the Holy One, blessed be He, pointed out the altar to Abraham and said: ‘There is the altar! Upon this altar did Adam, Cain, and Abel place their offerings! Upon this altar did Noah and his sons place their offerings!’ On a nearby hill, Shem, the son of Noah, interred the skull of Adam, which he had taken with him into the ark and guarded during the flood. Since then the hill is called Golgotha – the Skull” (Zev Vilnay, Legends of Jerusalem, Jewish Publication Society of America, Philadelphia, 1973, page 70).
There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you.”
A holocaust is a whole burned sacrifice; it was irrevocable. Isaac must have been at least a teenager at this point because, as we learn in a few verses, he carried the wood up the mountain (a figure of Christ carrying His cross) while Abraham carried the fire (matches hadn’t been invented yet) and the knife.
3 Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey, took with him his son Isaac, and two of his servants as well, and with the wood that he had cut for the holocaust, set out for the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar. 5 Then he said to his servants: “Both of you stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over yonder. We will worship and then come back to you.” 6 Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the holocaust and laid it on his son Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. 7 As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham. “Father!” he said. “Yes, son,” he replied. Isaac continued, “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the holocaust?” 8 “Son,” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust.” Then the two continued going forward. 9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.
This was a three-day journey at the end of which a type of resurrection takes place. Isaac has been dead in Abraham’s eyes since the journey began. When the sacrifice is halted, he lives again.
Next he tied up his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar. 10 Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the LORD’S messenger called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 12 “Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger. “Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.”
He has obeyed perfectly. Abraham truly fears (reverential awe, not terror) God. He has learned to give up control over his own life that he might receive it as a grace.
13 As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram
The ram was, in later times, the usual victim for a holocaust offering (Leviticus 1:10-13).
caught by its horns in the thicket.
Hebrew legend says that one horn was cut off to free the ram and this became the first shofar (the trumpet used to call the people to prayer and to war).
So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son. 14 Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh; hence people now say, “On the mountain the
LORD will see.”
Abraham called this place “Yahweh-jireh” which means “God will provide” (will see to it). This place is known today as jireh-shalom (Jerusalem).
15 Again the LORD’S messenger called to Abraham from heaven 16 and said: “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, 17 I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, 18 and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing – all this because you obeyed my command.”
God is making a covenant with Abraham by swearing the oath. Since there is no one higher, He must swear by Himself. In swearing the oath, God pronounces curses upon Himself if He doesn’t keep the covenant. This is the third covenant God makes with Abraham. In Genesis 12:2-3 God promised Abram (his name before it was changed to Abraham) three things:
1) Land (nation). This was the subject of the covenant of Genesis 15 and was fulfilled in Moses.
2) Royal dynasty (name). This was the subject of the covenant of Genesis 17:1-19 and was fulfilled in David.
3) Worldwide blessing. This was the subject of the covenant made here and was fulfilled in Jesus the Christ.
2nd Reading - Romans 8:31b-34
Our second reading today is a hymn-like passage telling about the love of God which was made manifest in Christ.
31b If God is for us, who can be against us?
A rhetorical question. God’s plan of salvation makes it clear to Christians that God is on their side.
32 He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all,
In our first reading, God spared Isaac, the type of Christ. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son (his only one, the one he loved) but God, the just judge, had even then pronounced sentence in our favor.
how will he not also give us everything else along with him? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us.
Again, a rhetorical question with the implied answer in the negative
34 Who will condemn? It is Christ (Jesus) who died, rather, was raised,
This is a rare reference for Saint Paul to the exaltation of Christ, it does not allude to the ascension.
who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.
The glorified Christ still continues the objective aspect of human redemption – he still presents His sacrifice to the Father on the behalf of all Christians. This is the function of the High Priest.
Gospel - Mark 9:2-10
Today’s gospel reading is the familiar account of the transfiguration – an event which is reported in all three synoptic gospels (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36) and is alluded to in John (1:14).
The time is a little less than one year before Jesus’ sacrifice on the altar of the cross. He has fed the five thousand and the four thousand and Peter has made what is called his “confession of faith” (erroneously, I believe, as faith is little involved – divine revelation is).
2 Jesus took Peter, James, and John
The inner circle of His apostles – only these three are close with Jesus here, at the healing of Jairus’ daughter, and at Gethsemani. Luke says that Jesus went up the mountain to pray, Mark and Matthew don’t tell us why He went up.
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
Mountains are the usual settings for supernatural revelations and theophanies. Traditional identifications of the mountain are Harmon and Tabor; the actual location is unknown and is unimportant.
And he was transfigured before them,
The Greek metamorphothe literally describes it. In Latin trans means radical change and figura means external appearance or body. The disciples are granted a glimpse of Him in His glorified state, which is to be His eternal state after His death and resurrection.
3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Absolutely pure
4 Then Elijah appeared to them
The representative of the Prophets. His assumption into heaven is recorded in 2 Kings 2:11.
along with Moses,
The representative of the Law. Hebrew legend has it that Moses was also assumed into heaven, thus explaining his appearance here in a recognizable bodily form. The Hebrew scriptures, the Law and the Prophets, are fully represented. They witness the fulfillment of what they represent and foretell.
and they were conversing with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Tents (booths) were used at the feast of Tabernacles. Peter may feel that the end times are here [Hosea 12:9b (12:10b in the New American Bible and the New Jerusalem Bible)] and wants to eternalize the experience.
6 He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Peter is at a loss for words, just like at Gethsemani.
7 Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
Just like in the Old Testament theophanies (and also at the Annunciation) the cloud is a representation of God and the overshadowing denotes occupation or indwelling. “It seems to me that this cloud is the grace of the Holy Spirit. Naturally, a tent gives shelter and overshadows those who are within; the cloud, therefore, serves the purpose of the tents. O Peter, you who want to set up three tents, have regard for the one tent of the Holy Spirit who shelters us equally” (Saint Jerome, Homily 80).
then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son.
The same words as at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:17)
Listen to him.”
Jesus is a prophet like Moses whose teaching must be heeded under penalty of extermination from God’s people. Just like at the wedding feast of Cana, “Do whatever He tells you.”
8 Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.
Moses and Elijah have relinquished their place to Jesus alone.
9 As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
The descent from the mountain and the command to secrecy are elements of Old Testament theophany patterns [Exodus 32:15 (coming down); Daniel 12:4, 9 (silence)].
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Unlike other commands to silence in Mark, this one has a special time limit – Christ’s resurrection.
10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.
The disciples’ problem was how Jesus could be raised from the dead before and apart from the general resurrection which was to occur at the coming of God’s kingdom.
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Picayune, MS http://www.scborromeo.org
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, MARK 9:2-10
(Genesis 22:1-2,9a, 10-13, 15-18; Psalm 116; Romans 8:31b-34)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, MARK 9:2-10
(Genesis 22:1-2,9a, 10-13, 15-18; Psalm 116; Romans 8:31b-34)
KEY VERSE: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him" (v 7).
TO KNOW: Soon after Jesus' first prediction of his passion and death (Mk 8:31), he took three of his disciples up a mountain to give them a glimpse of his future glory. It was on a mountain that God was revealed to Moses, the liberator and Law-giver, (Ex 19:3) and to Elijah, the great prophet (1 Kgs 19:8). The appearance of Moses and Elijah on the Mount of the Transfiguration was a revelation that Jesus was the new liberator and prophet, showing the unity and continuity of God's redeeming work. Peter was awestruck and proposed to set up three tents ("booths," such as those in which the Israelites lived on their journey to the Promised Land). A cloud overshadowed them all, reminiscent of the shekinah glory of God that filled the wilderness tent (Ex 40:35). The voice of God confirmed Jesus’ divine authority. His words must be heard and obeyed (Dt 18:15).
TO LOVE: Does the way I live reveal God's kingdom to others?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be your presence to all whom I meet.
Sunday 25
February 2018
Second Lent Week II Psalter. 2nd Sunday of Lent. [St Casimir].
Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18. Psalm 115(116):10, 15-19. Romans
8:31-34. Mark 9:2-10.
I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the
living—Psalm 115(116):10, 15-19.
‘This is my beloved Son: listen to him.’
The readings of this day have powerful lessons for us. Both
amazing events take place away from the ordinariness of life. In the place
apart, there is time for careful listening and then for willing participation
in God’s plan. God asks for Abraham’s complete trust in sacrificing his beloved
son, Isaac. Knowing the father’s love for the boy, God takes compassion and
relieves him of this pain.
As Peter, James and John are invited up the mountain, they are
not expecting the blockbuster that greets their eyes in the meeting of Jesus
with Moses and Elijah. But even more tremendous is the fact that God affirms
Jesus as his Son. Listen is the key word. God gives us his Son, demonstrating
his love for us. And now we walk in the presence of this love in our land today.
Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio
Saint of the Day for February 25
(January 20, 1502 – February 25, 1600)
Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio’s Story
Sebastian’s roads and bridges connected many distant places. His
final bridge-building was to help men and women recognize their God-given
dignity and destiny.
Sebastian’s parents were Spanish peasants. At the age of 31, he
sailed to Mexico, where he began working in the fields. Eventually he built
roads to facilitate agricultural trading and other commerce. His 466-mile road
from Mexico City to Zacatecas took 10 years to build and required careful
negotiations with the indigenous peoples along the way.
In time Sebastian was a wealthy farmer and rancher. At the age
of 60, he entered a virginal marriage. His wife’s motivation may have been a
large inheritance; his was to provide a respectable life for a girl without
even a modest marriage dowry. When his first wife died, he entered another
virginal marriage for the same reason; his second wife also died young.
At the age of 72, Sebastian distributed his goods among the poor
and entered the Franciscans as a brother. Assigned to the large (100-member)
friary at Puebla de los Angeles south of Mexico City, Sebastian went out
collecting alms for the friars for the next 25 years. His charity to all earned
him the nickname “Angel of Mexico.”
Sebastian was beatified in 1787 and is known as a patron of
travelers.
Reflection
According to the Rule of Saint Francis, the friars
were to work for their daily bread. Sometimes, however, their work would not
provide for their needs; for example, working with people suffering from
leprosy brought little or no pay. In cases such as these, the friars were
allowed to beg, always keeping in mind the admonition of Francis to let their
good example commend them to the people. The life of the prayerful Sebastian drew
many closer to God.
Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio is the Patron Saint of:
Travelers
LECTIO DIVINA: 2ND SUNDAY OF LENT (B)
Lectio Divina:
Sunday, February 25, 2018
The transfiguration of Jesus: the cross
on the horizon The passion that leads to glory
Mark 9:2-10
Mark 9:2-10
1. OPENING PRAYER
Lord Jesus, send Your Spirit to help us
to read the Scriptures with the same mind that You read them to the disciples
on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, You
helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of Your
sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope
became for them the source of life and of resurrection.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to Your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May Your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of Your resurrection and witness to others that You are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of You, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us Your Spirit. Amen.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to Your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May Your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of Your resurrection and witness to others that You are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of You, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us Your Spirit. Amen.
2. READING
a) A key to the reading:
On this second Sunday of Lent, the
Church meditates on the Transfiguration of Jesus in the presence of the three
disciples who joined Him on the mountain. The Transfiguration takes place after
the first announcement of the death of Jesus (Lk 9:21-22). This announcement
had confused the disciples and especially Peter. When we take a close look at
the small details, we see that the text describes the transfiguration in a way
that makes us aware of how this unusual experience of Jesus was able to help
the disciples overcome the crisis in which they found themselves. As we read,
let us try to pay attention to the following: "How did the transfiguration
take place and what was the reaction of the disciples towards this
experience?"
b) A division of the text to help our
reading:
Mark 9:2-4: The Transfiguration of Jesus
in the presence of his disciples
Mark 9:5-6: Peter’s reaction to the transfiguration
Mark 9:7-8: The voice from heaven that explains the meaning of the Transfiguration
Mark 9:9-10: Keeping secret what they had seen
Mark 9:5-6: Peter’s reaction to the transfiguration
Mark 9:7-8: The voice from heaven that explains the meaning of the Transfiguration
Mark 9:9-10: Keeping secret what they had seen
c) Text:
Jesus took Peter, James, and John and
led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before
them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could
bleach them.Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were
conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Rabbi, it is
good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and
one for Elijah." He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then
a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice,
"This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." Suddenly, looking around,
they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. As they were coming down
from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to
themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.
3. A MOMENT OF PRAYERFUL
SILENCE
so that the Word of God may penetrate
and enlighten our life.
4. SOME QUESTIONS
to help us in our personal reflection.
a) Which part of the text did you like
most or touched you most? Why?
b) How does the transfiguration take
place and what is the reaction of the disciples to this experience?
c) Why does the text present Jesus with
brilliant clothes while He is speaking with Moses and Elijah? Who are Moses and
Elijah for Jesus? Who are they for the disciples?
d) What is the message of the voice from
heaven for Jesus? And what is the message for the disciples?
e) How can we transfigure,
today, our personal and family life and the life of the community in our area?
5. FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO GO
DEEPER INTO THE THEME
a) The context then and now
The foretelling of the passion sank the
disciples into a deep crisis. They lived among the poor, but in their minds
they were confused, lost as they were in the propaganda of the government and
of the official religion of their time (Mk 8:15). The official religion taught
that the Messiah would be glorious and victorious! That is why Peter reacts
strongly against the cross (Mk 8:32). Someone condemned to die on the cross
could not be the Messiah, rather, according to the Law of God, he had to be
considered cursed by God (Dt 21:22-23). In these circumstances, the experience
of the Transfiguration of Jesus was able to help the disciples overcome the
trauma of the Cross. In fact, at the Transfiguration, Jesus appears in glory
and speaks with Moses and Elijah of His passion and death (Lk 9:31). The
journey towards glory, then, is through the cross.
In the 70’s, when Mark is writing his
Gospel, the Cross was a great obstacle for the Jews to accept Jesus as the
Messiah. How could it be that one crucified, one who died as one marginalized,
was the great Messiah expected for centuries by the people? The cross was an
obstacle to believing in Jesus. "The cross is a scandal," they said
(1Cor 1:23). The community did not know how to respond to the critical questions
put to them by the Jews. One of the great efforts of the early Christians was
that of assisting people to see that the cross was neither scandal nor madness,
but rather the expression of the power and wisdom of God (1Cor 1:22-31). Mark’s
Gospel contributes to that effort. He uses texts from the Old Testament to
describe the scene of the Transfiguration. He shed light on the events of the
life of Jesus and shows that Jesus fulfills the prophecies and that the Cross
is the way that leads to Glory. It was not just the cross of Jesus that was a
problem! In the 70’s, the cross of persecution was part of every-day life for
Christians. In fact, just a little time before, Nero had launched his
persecution and many died. Today, many people suffer because they are Christians
and because they live the Gospel. How do we approach the cross? What does it
mean? With these questions in mind we meditate and comment on the text of the
transfiguration.
b) A commentary on the text:
Mark 9:2-4: Jesus looks
different.
Jesus goes up a high mountain. Luke adds that He goes there to pray (Lk 9:28). There, on the summit of the mountain, Jesus appears in glory in the presence of Peter, James and John. Together with Him appear Moses and Elijah. The high mountain recalls Mount Sinai, where in times past, God had made known His will to the people by presenting the law to Moses. The white clothes of Jesus recall Moses shrouded in light as he speaks to God on the mountain and receives the law from God (cf. Ex 34:29-35). Elijah and Moses, the two great authorities of the Old Testament, speak with Jesus. Moses represents the Law and Elijah the prophets. Luke says that they talked about the death of Jesus in Jerusalem (Lk 9:31). Thus it was clear that the Old Testament, both the Law and the Prophets, taught that the way to glory is through the cross (Cf Is 53).
Jesus goes up a high mountain. Luke adds that He goes there to pray (Lk 9:28). There, on the summit of the mountain, Jesus appears in glory in the presence of Peter, James and John. Together with Him appear Moses and Elijah. The high mountain recalls Mount Sinai, where in times past, God had made known His will to the people by presenting the law to Moses. The white clothes of Jesus recall Moses shrouded in light as he speaks to God on the mountain and receives the law from God (cf. Ex 34:29-35). Elijah and Moses, the two great authorities of the Old Testament, speak with Jesus. Moses represents the Law and Elijah the prophets. Luke says that they talked about the death of Jesus in Jerusalem (Lk 9:31). Thus it was clear that the Old Testament, both the Law and the Prophets, taught that the way to glory is through the cross (Cf Is 53).
Mark 9:5-6: Peter likes what
is happening but does not understand.
Peter likes what is going on and wants this pleasing moment on the Mountain to last. He suggests building three tents. Mark says that Peter was afraid and did not know what he was saying, and Luke adds that the disciples were sleepy (Lk 9:32). For them, as it is for us, it is difficult to understand the Cross!
The description of the transfiguration begins with an affirmation. Six days later.What six days are these? Some scholars explain this phrase thus: Peter wants to build three tents, because it was the sixth day of the feast of tents. This was a very popular feast of six days that celebrated the gift of the Law of God and the forty years spent in the desert. To recall these forty years, the people had to spend six days in temporary tents. That is why it was called the Feast of the Tents. If they could not celebrate the whole six days, they had to celebrate at least the sixth day. The affirmation "six days later" would then be an allusion to the feast of the tents. That is why Peter recalls the duty of building tents. And spontaneously, he offers to build the tents. Thus Jesus, Moses and Elijah would have been able to go on talking.
Peter likes what is going on and wants this pleasing moment on the Mountain to last. He suggests building three tents. Mark says that Peter was afraid and did not know what he was saying, and Luke adds that the disciples were sleepy (Lk 9:32). For them, as it is for us, it is difficult to understand the Cross!
The description of the transfiguration begins with an affirmation. Six days later.What six days are these? Some scholars explain this phrase thus: Peter wants to build three tents, because it was the sixth day of the feast of tents. This was a very popular feast of six days that celebrated the gift of the Law of God and the forty years spent in the desert. To recall these forty years, the people had to spend six days in temporary tents. That is why it was called the Feast of the Tents. If they could not celebrate the whole six days, they had to celebrate at least the sixth day. The affirmation "six days later" would then be an allusion to the feast of the tents. That is why Peter recalls the duty of building tents. And spontaneously, he offers to build the tents. Thus Jesus, Moses and Elijah would have been able to go on talking.
Mark 9:7: The voice from
heaven shed light on the events.
As soon as Jesus is shrouded in glory, a voice from heaven says: "This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to Him!" The expression "Beloved Son" recalls the figure of the Servant Messiah, proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah (cf. Is 42:1). The expression "Listen to Him" recalls the prophecy that promised the coming of the new Moses (cf. Dt 18:15). In Jesus, the prophecies of the Old Testament are being fulfilled. The disciples could not doubt this. The Christians of the 70’s could not doubt this. Jesus is truly the glorious Messiah, but the way to glory is through the cross, the second proclamation made in the prophecy of the servant (Is 53:3-9). The glory of the Transfiguration is proof of this. Moses and Elijah confirm this. The Father is the guarantor of this. Jesus accepts this.
As soon as Jesus is shrouded in glory, a voice from heaven says: "This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to Him!" The expression "Beloved Son" recalls the figure of the Servant Messiah, proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah (cf. Is 42:1). The expression "Listen to Him" recalls the prophecy that promised the coming of the new Moses (cf. Dt 18:15). In Jesus, the prophecies of the Old Testament are being fulfilled. The disciples could not doubt this. The Christians of the 70’s could not doubt this. Jesus is truly the glorious Messiah, but the way to glory is through the cross, the second proclamation made in the prophecy of the servant (Is 53:3-9). The glory of the Transfiguration is proof of this. Moses and Elijah confirm this. The Father is the guarantor of this. Jesus accepts this.
Mark 9:8: Only Jesus and no
one else!
Mark says that after the vision, the disciples see only Jesus and no one else. The emphasis on the affirmation that they see only Jesus suggests that from now on Jesus is the only revelation of God for us! For us Christians, Jesus, and only Jesus, is the key to understanding the complete meaning of the Old Testament.
Mark says that after the vision, the disciples see only Jesus and no one else. The emphasis on the affirmation that they see only Jesus suggests that from now on Jesus is the only revelation of God for us! For us Christians, Jesus, and only Jesus, is the key to understanding the complete meaning of the Old Testament.
Mark 9: 9-10: Knowing how to
keep silent.
Jesus asks His disciples not to say anything to anyone until He has risen from the dead, but the disciples do not understand Him. Indeed, anyone who does not link suffering to the resurrection, does not understand the meaning of the Cross. Jesus is stronger than death.
Jesus asks His disciples not to say anything to anyone until He has risen from the dead, but the disciples do not understand Him. Indeed, anyone who does not link suffering to the resurrection, does not understand the meaning of the Cross. Jesus is stronger than death.
Mark 9:11-13: The return of
the prophet Elijah.
The prophet Malachi had proclaimed that Elijah was to return to prepare the way of the Messiah (Ml 3:23-24). This same proclamation is also found in the book of Ecclesiastes (Ec 48:10). How could Jesus be the Messiah if Elijah had not returned yet? That is why the disciples asked: Why do the say that Elijah must come first? (9:11). Jesus reply is clear: I tell you that Elijah has come and they have treated him as they pleased, just as the scriptures say about him (9: 13). Jesus was referring to John the Baptist who was murdered by Herod (Mt 17:13).
The prophet Malachi had proclaimed that Elijah was to return to prepare the way of the Messiah (Ml 3:23-24). This same proclamation is also found in the book of Ecclesiastes (Ec 48:10). How could Jesus be the Messiah if Elijah had not returned yet? That is why the disciples asked: Why do the say that Elijah must come first? (9:11). Jesus reply is clear: I tell you that Elijah has come and they have treated him as they pleased, just as the scriptures say about him (9: 13). Jesus was referring to John the Baptist who was murdered by Herod (Mt 17:13).
c) Further information:
i) The Transfiguration: the change that
takes place in the practice of Jesus
In the middle of conflicts with the
Pharisees and Herodians (Mk 8:11-21), Jesus leaves Galilee and goes to the
region of Caesarea Philippi (Mk 8:27), where He begins to prepare His
disciples. On the way, He puts a question to them: "Who do people say I
am?" (Mk 8:27) After listening to their reply that they considered Him the
Messiah, Jesus begins to speak of His passion and death (Mk 8:31). Peter
reacts: "Heaven preserve You, Lord!" (Mt 16:22). Jesus replies:
"Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because you are
thinking not as God thinks but as human beings do!" (Mk 8:33) This was a
moment of crisis for the disciples, who still held on to the thought of a
glorious Messiah (Mk 8:32-33; 9:32), not understanding Jesus’ reply and trying
to divert it in another direction. It was close to the Feast of the Tents, (cf
Lk 9:33), when the popular messianic expectation was much stronger than usual.
Jesus goes up the mountain to pray (Lk 9:28). He overcomes temptation by
prayer. The revelation of the Kingdom was different from that which the people
imagined. The victory of the servant would take place through the death
sentence (Is 50:4-9; 53:1-12). The cross appears on the horizon, not just as a
possibility, but as a certainty. From this moment on a change takes place in
Jesus practice. Here are some important signs of this change:
Few miracles. At first there are many
miracles. Now, beginning with Mk 8:27; Mt 16:13 and Lk 9:18, miracles are
almost an exception in Jesus activities.
Proclaiming the Passion. Earlier there
was talk of the passion as a remote possibility (Mk 3:6). Now there is constant
talk of it (Mk 8:31; 9:9.31; 10:33.38).
Taking up the Cross. Earlier, Jesus
proclaimed the imminent coming of the Kingdom. Now He insists on watchfulness,
the demands on those who follow Him, and the necessity to take up one’s cross
(Mt 16:24-26; 19:27-30; 24:42-51; 25:1-13; Mk 8:34; 10:28-31; Lk 9:23-26.57-62;
12:8-9.35-48; 14:25-33; 17:33; 18:28-30).
He teaches the disciples. Earlier He
taught the people. Now He is more concerned with the formation of His
disciples. He asks them to choose again (Jn 6:67) and begins to prepare them
for the future mission. He goes out of the city so as to stay with them and
busy Himself with their formation (Mk 8:27; 9:28. 30-35; 10:10.23.28-32;
11:11).
Different parables. Earlier, the
parables revealed the mystery of the Kingdom present in the activities of
Jesus. Now the parables tend towards the future judgment, at the end of time:
the murderous vine growers (Mt 21:33-46); the merciless servant (Mt 18:23-35),
the workers of the eleventh hour (Mt 20:1-16), the two sons (Mt 21:28-32), the
wedding banquet (Mt 22:1-14), the ten talents (Mt 25:14-30).
Jesus accepts the will of the Father that is revealed in the new situation and decides to go to Jerusalem (Lk 9:51). He takes this decision with such determination as to frighten His disciples, who cannot understand what is going on (Mk 10:32; Lk 18:31-34). In the society of that time, the proclamation of the Kingdom as Jesus proclaimed it could not be tolerated. So either He had to change or He had to die! Jesus did not change His proclamation. He continued to be faithful to the Father and to the poor. That is why He was sentenced to death!
Jesus accepts the will of the Father that is revealed in the new situation and decides to go to Jerusalem (Lk 9:51). He takes this decision with such determination as to frighten His disciples, who cannot understand what is going on (Mk 10:32; Lk 18:31-34). In the society of that time, the proclamation of the Kingdom as Jesus proclaimed it could not be tolerated. So either He had to change or He had to die! Jesus did not change His proclamation. He continued to be faithful to the Father and to the poor. That is why He was sentenced to death!
ii) The transfiguration and the return
of the prophet Elijah
In Mark s Gospel, the scene of the
transfiguration is linked to the question of the return of the prophet Elijah
(Mk 9:9-13). In those days, people expected the return of the prophet Elijah
and were not aware that Elijah had already returned in the person of John the
Baptist (Mk 9:13). The same thing happens today. Many people live in
expectation of the return of Jesus and even write on the walls of cities: Jesus
will return! They are not aware that Jesus is already present in
our lives. Every now and then, like an unexpected flash of lightning, this
presence of Jesus breaks out and shines, transforming our lives. A question
that each one us should ask is: Has my faith in Jesus offered me a moment of
transfiguration and intense joy? How have such moments of joy given me strength
in moments of difficulties?
6. THE PRAYER OF A PSALM:
PSALM 27 (26)
The Lord is my light
Yahweh is my light and my
salvation,
whom should I fear?
Yahweh is the fortress of my life,
whom should I dread?
When the wicked advance against me to eat me up,
they, my opponents, my enemies,
are the ones who stumble and fall.
Though an army pitch camp against me,
my heart will not fear,
though war break out against me,
my trust will never be shaken.
One thing I ask of Yahweh,
one thing I seek:
to dwell in Yahweh's house all the days of my life,
to enjoy the sweetness of Yahweh,
to seek out His temple.
For He hides me away under His roof on the day of evil,
He folds me in the recesses of His tent,
sets me high on a rock.
Now my head is held high above the enemies who surround me;
in His tent I will offer sacrifices of acclaim. I will sing,
I will make music for Yahweh.
Yahweh, hear my voice as I cry,
pity me, answer me!
Of You my heart has said,
'Seek His face!'
Your face, Yahweh, I seek;
do not turn away from me.
Do not thrust aside Your servant in anger,
without You I am helpless.
Never leave me, never forsake me,
God, my Saviour.
Though my father and mother forsake me,
Yahweh will gather me up.
Yahweh, teach me Your way,
lead me on the path of integrity because of my enemies;
do not abandon me to the will of my foes
- false witnesses have risen against me,
and are breathing out violence.
This I believe: I shall see the goodness of Yahweh,
in the land of the living.
Put your hope in Yahweh,
be strong,
let your heart be bold,
put your hope in Yahweh.
whom should I fear?
Yahweh is the fortress of my life,
whom should I dread?
When the wicked advance against me to eat me up,
they, my opponents, my enemies,
are the ones who stumble and fall.
Though an army pitch camp against me,
my heart will not fear,
though war break out against me,
my trust will never be shaken.
One thing I ask of Yahweh,
one thing I seek:
to dwell in Yahweh's house all the days of my life,
to enjoy the sweetness of Yahweh,
to seek out His temple.
For He hides me away under His roof on the day of evil,
He folds me in the recesses of His tent,
sets me high on a rock.
Now my head is held high above the enemies who surround me;
in His tent I will offer sacrifices of acclaim. I will sing,
I will make music for Yahweh.
Yahweh, hear my voice as I cry,
pity me, answer me!
Of You my heart has said,
'Seek His face!'
Your face, Yahweh, I seek;
do not turn away from me.
Do not thrust aside Your servant in anger,
without You I am helpless.
Never leave me, never forsake me,
God, my Saviour.
Though my father and mother forsake me,
Yahweh will gather me up.
Yahweh, teach me Your way,
lead me on the path of integrity because of my enemies;
do not abandon me to the will of my foes
- false witnesses have risen against me,
and are breathing out violence.
This I believe: I shall see the goodness of Yahweh,
in the land of the living.
Put your hope in Yahweh,
be strong,
let your heart be bold,
put your hope in Yahweh.
7. FINAL PRAYER
Lord Jesus, we thank for the word that
has enabled us to understand better the will of the Father. May Your Spirit
enlighten our actions and grant us the strength to practice that which Your
Word has revealed to us. May we, like Mary, Your mother, not only listen to but
also practice the Word. You who live and reign with the Father in the unity of
the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
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