Second Sunday of Lent, Year B – February 25, 2024.
Readings: Genesis 22:1-2,9-13,15-18; Ps 115:10,15-19; Romans 8:31-34; Gospel – Mark 9:2-10.
Theme: The Tabor and Calvary of Our Lives!
Sunday Synopsis
Our first reading recounts the faith of Abraham, who obeyed God through his willingness to offer his only son, Isaac. In the second reading, St. Paul insists that God did not spare his Son but gave him up to benefit us. The gospel reveals the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor where Peter, James, and John saw his glory. With prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we are sure to overcome the “Calvary” of woes in our lives unto the “Tabor” of spiritual delights.
Introduction
Friends in Christ, prayer, fasting, almsgiving and the Stations of the Cross position us for appropriate lessons for the Second Sunday of Lent. The liturgy urges us to strike a balance between the “Tabor” and “Calvary” experiences in our lives. Metaphorically, “Tabor” represents awesome spiritual experiences and a good life while “Calvary” stands for trials, tribulations, and temptations.
Background and Summary of the Readings
Our first reading (Gen. 22:1-2,9-13,15-18) recounts the faith of Abraham, our Father in the faith, who obeyed God through his willingness to offer his only son, Isaac. It tells how God provided a ram for the offering, instead. Abraham had assured Isaac that “God will provide” – Indeed, the Lord provided.
In the second reading (Romans 8:31-34), St. Paul insists that God did not spare his son but gave him up to benefit us. He suggests that in obedience of faith, Jesus paid the supreme price by dying to save us. This is why Paul stresses that with God on our side, no one can be against us.
The gospel (Mk 9:2-10) reveals the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor where Peter, James, and John saw his glory. He allowed the first set of disciples to have a glimpse of heaven. This was to prepare them for trials and persecution. The presence of Moses who represents the Law, and Elijah who stood for the Prophets reveal Jesus as the legitimate Son of God. The voice of the Father signals divine endorsement.
Pastoral Lessons
1. Embrace Sacrifice: Just as Abraham was willing to offer God his only son, Lent invites us to embrace sacrificing our, time, talent (ingenuity/genius), treasure (cars, jewelry, shoes, fat bank account), and all pleasures (expensive drinks, sexual gratification) for the sake of Christ.
2. Be Heroic in Faith: St. Paul reminds us that Abraham’s obedience of faith without counting the cost challenges us to develop a heroic faith that does not question God about our needs, present situation and the future he has planned for us.
3. Fulfill the Law/Prophets: The appearance of Moses and Elijah on Mount Tabor challenges us to make concerted efforts to fulfill the law and the prophets by expanding the frontiers of the evangelising mission of the Church to the ends of the earth.
4. Fight On: Realising that life oscillates between “Tabor” and “Calvary,” the Season of Lent provides us with fasting, prayer, and almsgiving to fight on until the Lord returns.
5. Seek the Holy Spirit: The voice of the Father which approves of Jesus as the true channel of grace and holiness plus the brightness of his clothing urges us to seek the Holy Spirit in our desire for holiness.
Summary Lines
1. Our first reading recounts the faith of Abraham, our Father in the faith, who obeyed God through his willingness to offer his only son, Isaac.
2. In the second reading, St. Paul insists that God did not spare his son but gave him up to benefit us.
3. He suggests that in obedience to faith, Jesus paid the supreme price by dying to save us.
4. The gospel reveals the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor where Peter, James, and John saw his glory.
5. He allowed the first set of disciples to have a glimpse of heaven.
Conclusion
Although the Bible says, “No hear has heard and no eyes have seen what God has prepared for his elect,” (1 Cor. 2:9), our liturgy assures that heaven is real. What is more, we are encouraged to fix our gaze on heaven as we struggle between “Tabor” and “Calvary.” Rather than overindulge in the valley of earthly pleasures, Lent invites us to the mountain of endurance, reflection and holiness. I assure you that your “Calvary” of sorrow is short-lived. Glory awaits you on every front. Have a great week ahead.
