2^nd Sunday of Lent, Year C

Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18     Philippians 3:17-4:1      Luke 9:28b-36

Theme: A call to holiness of life

The three readings of today, give us reasons why we must continue to strive after holiness of life through faith and trust in God. In the 1^st reading we see Abram exhibiting an awesome faith in God. He is promised that his descendants are going to be as many as the stars of heaven; not minding the fact that his wife has not given birth to any child. This is what some people call blind faith. But it has never failed those who took this risk with God. The question therefore is, when you find yourself in such a situation, do you trust like Abram, or you are too scared to take the risk and believe in God? I want you to always remember, he never disappoints those who have faith in Him. Our reflection on the readings, has four main points. They are the faith of Abram, the cross of Christ, prayer and Peters selflessness.

Abram our father in faith shows us the importance of faith in our journey of salvation. We need faith if we truly desire to make salvation and see God’s glory as experienced by the three Apostles that went to the mountain with Jesus and experienced the transfiguration. Our earthly pilgrimage must be founded on trust in God. Am sure if most people were present when the dialogue took place between Abram and God, they would laugh at him and call him a dreamer. Nevertheless, he believed, and God fulfilled his covenant with him. That situation that you think is hopeless in your life, family, business, and studies, why not take it to Him in prayer and believe He will do it for you like he did for Abram. He never disappoints those with faith in Him.

In the 2^nd reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we are reminded that we should be ready to accept everything that makes us true Disciples of Christ. There are two sides to our call to discipleship. They are the glorious side and the side of the cross. Thus, Paul is reminding us today that a true Christian cannot choose one side and throw away the other or grumble about the other. One is a foundation for the other. There must be cross before enjoying God’s glory, just like the transfiguration experience. We must always remember that no pain no gain, no cross-no crown. This is a teaching that challenges all of us as Christians. What is your attitude towards crosses when you encounter them? Do you see the hand of God in them and carry them with faith or do you continue to grumble and share them with everybody you meet?

The Gospel reading tells us that Jesus went up the mountain to pray with Peter, James and John his Apostles. The mountain is a place of encounter with the Lord. Children of God, what does that say to you as a person? For me, it shows me the importance of taking time out to commune with God. Even Jesus who is God takes time out to pray, let alone you and I who are His followers. Simply put, as Christians we cannot do without prayer. Especially during this season of lent, have you improved in your prayer life? There is no better time to begin than during this season of God’s grace. Another striking thing outside the transfiguration experience is the selfless nature of Peter. He exclaimed! Let us build three tents, one for Jesus, another for Moses and another for Elijah; he did not include himself and the other Apostles. Our world today needs selfless people like Peter, people who are ready to discomfort themselves for the good of others. My brothers and sisters in Christ, it begins with every one of us. Our world is suffering from self-centeredness’, that is why life is becoming more difficult and the number of poor people increasing by the day. Let us emulate Peter and become the missing link of selflessness in our world today. May God grant us the grace to be steadfast in our call as true disciples!  Peace be with you!