by Fr. Jose “Joesum” Sumampong, Jr.
February 28, 2021
Second Sunday of Lent (Year B)
Genesis 22: 1-2, 9-13, 15-18 / Psalm 116: 10, 15-19 /
Romans 8:31-34 / Mark 9: 2-10
TRANGSFIGURATION: IT’S CHALLENGE FOR THE NEW MILLENIUM
Word: There is one unifying message in today’s three scriptural readings. And that is, “No Fear.”
In the first reading, our attention turns to Abraham, through whom God made the second covenant recounted in the Old Testament. The story tells about Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. It is difficult to read or hear this account without a sense of horror at the thought of anyone attempting to kill a child. It is one story that may upset many: how could God demand the killing a Isaac?
Let’s take note of the text. Then God said: “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and… offer him up as a holocaust… When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. Next he tied up his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar. Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son (Gen 22: 2, 9-10).
The main point of the story, however, is Abraham’s faith. He obeys God even when God’s command does not make sense to him. He entrusts to God his whole future, which is represented by Isaac. Because of Abraham’s faithfulness, at the end of the story the angel reaffirms God’s promises to him.
The second reading is chosen to connect with the other readings. The key line for that connection is “He who did not spare his own Son” (Romans 8:32). It creates a link both to the story of Abraham and Isaac and to the voice that speaks during Transfiguration.
That line is also the key to the reading itself, for it states the basis of our conviction that God will give us all good things and that we have nothing to fear from anyone.
The Transfiguration of Jesus, according to Mark’s account, is presented as an attempt to help the disciples understand Jesus and his mission. The three disciples taken up the mountain later become the leaders of the apostles. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them (Mark 9:2-3).
Elijah and Moses appear with him, probably representing the prophets and the Law. When the vision ends, the disciples see only Jesus, suggesting that he replaces both the Law and the prophets in the new age.
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” (Mk 9:5). Mark notes that he really didn’t know what to say.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him” (Mk 9:7). The voice that speaks echoes the words at Jesus’ baptism, pointing out Jesus’ role as son and servant. But now those words are addressed not to Jesus but to the disciples. Despite this revelatory vision, Mark depicts the disciples as still confused.
The disciples here represent the church in Marks’ time, which needed to see Jesus more clearly. The disciples are told not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead (Mk 9:9), indicating a concern that people will seek the glory without the cross. Only after the passion and the resurrection can this event be properly understood.
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Order: The message of this Second Sunday of Lent is “No Fear” The challenge may be understood by quoting the words of Pope John Paul II: “You observe that contemporary man finds it hard to return to faith because he is afraid of the moral demands that faith makes upon him. And this, to a certain degree, is the truth. The Gospel is certainly demanding” (Crossing the Threshold of Hope).
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Realities: 1. Fire is a good symbol for the Holy Spirit. Fire can do many different kinds of things. Fire can make something strong; that is why we char a canoe and fire clay pots. Fire can make something soft. Put a piece of iron into the fire and it turns red and then you can bend it. Heat a piece of wood and you can bend it too. Fire gives us light…as a candle, or kerosene lamp or electric bulb.
Fire takes away pain: if you have a sprained ankle or a swollen hand, put it close to the fire. Heat helps the pain to go away. (Frank Mihalic, FIRE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT)
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2. Nowadays everyone on earth is afraid of one big thing; it is called the atom bomb. It is so powerful that it can kill everybody on earth. But atomic power also has many good uses.
Now just where do we find all these atoms that produce this immense power? All around us. Everything you are looking at right now is made up of nothing but atoms. It was always that way; but for thousands of years nobody knew about them and so the atoms all around us just lay there unused and asleep. But then some scientists discovered the power locked inside an atom, which is smaller than a grain of sand … Now we know about it and we are frightened at what atoms can do …
This atomic possibility within you today is the Holy Spirit…But until you wake up to the fact that he is there, nothing atomic is going to happen. (Frank Mihalic, ATOM: GREAT POWER)
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3. People who believe in and see only the external things of this world are like those who see only the coconut shell and never the delicious milk and meat inside it. To them a cabbage is just a leaf; but we know that you can eat it. To them writing is just marks on a paper; but we know that these marks say something. People of the world are like backwoods hillbillies who look at a pipe and have no idea that water is running through it. They see only outsides; never insides.
The worldly person sees a body and never thinks of the soul that is inside it. (Frank Mihalic, SEEING ONLY OUTSIDE OF THINGS)
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4. “While the Church rejoices and celebrates the Third Millennium, many of us look at it with fear. Thoughts of doomsday, darkness, wars, misunderstanding fill our heads and terrify. Pessimism and cynicism occupy our hearts; …nothing will change no matter what one does. And since everything is hopeless and everything has dried up, there is no use preparing. Think about the Philippine situation alone; we are living in an immoral situation.” (Rev. Fr. Edgar L. Tuling, Diocese of Tagum).
Peace is uncertain; with the rest of the world, we are in times of crisis.
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Direction: Father, enable our minds to rise to your ineffable dwelling-place. Let us find the light and direct the eyes of our soul to you. Dispel the mists and the opaqueness of the earthly mass, and shine out with your splendor. You are the serene and tranquil abode of those who persevere in their goal of seeing you. You are at the same time the beginning, the vehicle, the guide, the way, and the goal. (Prayer for Help to Contemplate God, St. Severinus Boethius <475-525> Philosopher and Writer)