Lent: Second Sunday : Called to Live by Faith
Abraham is a fascinating character. He receives a call from God to leave his native home; the call demands that he respond with deep faith. He is promised many descendants, land, a lasting relationship with God, and that he will be a blessing for all the families of the earth.
Yet, Abraham faced many challenges to his faith commitment. Are Abraham and his wife Sarah in their old age even able to bear children? Furthermore, when a son is born to the couple, will Abraham trust God enough to sacrifice the promised heir, Isaac, on an altar? As the beginning of today’s first reading notes: “God put Abraham to the test.” However, by the end of the reading, which is only part of the lengthy Abraham narrative (Genesis 11:27-25:18), one can clearly affirm that Abraham generously responded and rightly deserves the title “father of faith.”
Abraham’s faith is praised repeatedly in the New Testament (e.g. Rom 4:9-25; Gal 3:6-9; Jas 2:21-23). “Abraham put his faith in God and this was counted as making him justified, and that is why he was called ‘the friend of God’” (Jas 2:23). Our First Eucharistic Prayer used at Mass speaks of “the sacrifice of Abraham, our Father in faith.”
Note that Abraham becomes the legendary ancestor of the world’s three great monotheistic religions: Judaism, and by extension, Christianity, and Islam. Even the Second Vatican Council recalls that Muslims “hold the faith of Abraham” (LG 16); Muslim faith “takes pleasure in linking itself” with Abraham’s faith (NA 3). Thus, many families of faith throughout the world today (Jews, Christians, and Muslims) see Abraham’s faith as a model to follow.
Saint Paul’s Reflection. In today’s second reading, the Apostle Paul, recalling the fact that God spared Abraham’s son, tells us that God “did not spare his own Son, but handed him over for the sake of us all.” Yes, Jesus, God’s own Son, was sacrificed for our salvation! What further proof is needed of God’s generous love for us? This fact should remain a profound motive for our response of deep faith. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31). “Nothing, therefore, can come between us and the love of Christ” (Rom 8:35).
Transfiguration of Jesus. Today’s Gospel from Saint Mark narrates the luminous transformation of Jesus. Peter, James, and John witness this unique scene. They see Jesus in conversation with Elijah and Moses. They hear a voice from the cloud proclaiming: “This is my Son, my beloved. Listen to him.”
The apostles were given the gift of the Transfiguration, so that they would have a vision to hold on to when Jesus undergoes his passion and death. The Transfiguration is meant to strengthen the faith of the disciples—and our faith. At every Eucharist, we, Jesus’ disciples, should link Christ’s suffering, death, and glorification into our own journey of faith.
Faith—Tested by God. Recall that today’s first reading noted: “God put Abraham to the test” (Gen 22:1). Indeed, God allows his children to be tested, so that we may examine our hearts and minds to see if we are true to Him, to show the authenticity of our faith. Perseverance in trials and difficulties can result in spiritual depth and maturity. During this season of Lent, we pray for growth in faith—even as we face life’s challenges and trials.
We can draw strength from the words of Pope Francis regarding our trials in life: “Challenges exist to be overcome! Let us be realists, but without losing our joy, our boldness and our hope. Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of missionary vigor” (Evangelii Gaudium 109).
Prepared by: James H. Kroeger, MM (E-mail:)