Homily - Second Sunday of Lent

We are in the second Sunday of Lent and the theme of today’s liturgy is metamorphosis or transformation.  The readings of the day invite us to transform our lives with the help of the Holy Spirit by renewing them during Lent so that they radiate the glory and grace of the transfigured Lord.

First reading, Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18:

Genesis means origin – origin of 3 things – of the World, of Human Beings and the Origin of the people of Israel. The reading has special reference to the origin of the people of Israel.

   The reading describes the transformation of a pagan patriarch into a believer in the one God. The reading also describes the change in his name from Abram to Abraham and the first covenant of God with Abraham’s family, as a reward for his obedience to God. Biblically change in name is very symbolic- for example Saul to Paul, Peter to Cephas, Jacob to Israel – Change in name symbolizes a new beginning and a new mission assigned by God. With Abraham, God’s intimate journey with his people began. It’s a new life/ new beginning in the history of humanity.

   As a reward for Abram’s trust and obedience, God promised him of Land and Progeny and Prosperity.

   When Abraham asked for a sign that would seal this promise, God entered into a unilateral contract with him, using an ancient ritual.  The parties who wanted to seal a contract would split an animal into two, lay the halves on the ground, and walk between them, saying "May I be so split in half  -if I fail to keep the agreement we are sealing here." Abraham fell into a trance and witnessed the procession of the fire pot and torch moving between the two halves of animal. Fire pot or bright light symbolizes the presence of God.  This is known as the unilateral covenant between God and Abraham.

·         Presenting Abraham – the father of faith to us during this season, is very symbolic.

·         Abraham gathered and carried wood as he prepared to sacrifice his only son, which meant total self emptying.

·         And Jesus carried wood – in the form of the cross – and emptied himself totally to save the sinful humanity.

·          At the end God did not allow Abraham to acrifice his son but God did not hold back to sacrifice his only son on the calvary.

Gospel:   The Gospel of the day presents the transfiguration of the Lord. Transfiguration story is common to synoptics. In Luke it is intimately linked to what is immediately preceded. That is 1. Peter’s confession regarding the messianic identity of Jesus ( 9: 18-120) and Cost of discipleship.( 9: 21-27) On the one hand , tranfiguration affirms Peters’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah of God and on the other it affirms the cost/ final reward of discipleship, that is eternal life in the world to come.

   The passage on transfiguration has similarities with Ex 19, 16-20 and with the vision of Daniel( Daniel 10, 1-10) and is very much similar to the post resurrection apparitions described in Lk 24.

   Let us quickly look at  Ex 19 : 16-20: On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning and there was the loud blast of the trumpet and the mountain was covered with cloud. People are all gathered at the bottom of Mount Sinai and Moses is called up. There is thick smoke as God comes down on the mountain and Moses speaks to him and God answers in the form of thunder. And immediately after this event Ten Commandments are given to people of Israel. Through Moses God gives the First Law, to his people. Let’s not forget Moses led the first exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land.

Exodus means = going out/ moving out/ crossing over

·         The Transfiguration of the Lord reminds that the New Exodus is at hand.

·         Transfiguration happens at the top of the mountain and biblically mountain is a place of God’s presence or a place of communion with God.

·         Moses and Elijah appear in conversation with Jesus are 2 important Old Testament personalities. Duet 34 speaks about the death of Moses but says no one knows about his tomb and 2 Kings 2 speaks about Elijah being taken up by God in mysterious circumstances. Moses and Elijah first and foremost stand for – eternal life with the Lord  that the faithful share.

·         Moses – was a law giver and Elijah was one of the greatest prophets and people believed that Elijah would come back. Their presence at transfiguration means – Jesus is the eschatological law giver and the fullness of prophesies.

·         The first exodus was liberation from Egypt to the Promised Land led by Moses and the new exodus will be led by Jesus, through his death and resurrection, leads people out of the slavery of Sin to their eternal home – to everlasting life.

·         Therefore Transfiguration is an anticipated vision of the glory of Jesus upon his resurrection and exaltation.  St Paul’ says if one has died with him, will also rise implies will live with him. Therefore transfiguration also reveals how we will be in life eternal – a life to which we are destined to?

Second Reading : This question from St Paul’s letter to Phillipians speaks about the eteral existence of the people who are saved. In the Pauline understanding, we are saved by Justification through faith. What does Justification through faith mean?

   Imagine God the Father and I stand facing each other and in between there is Christ hanging on the cross. God knows that I am a sinner and I too know that I am a sinner. Now before looking at me God the Father looks at Jesus hanging on the cross and since I have faith in him, he says from the cross that – “ I have laid down my life for him”. Therefore God treat me as innocent and when God treats someone as innocent – he becomes innocent for God’s word is performative.

   Paul in his writings makes a distinction between Body and Flesh. Greek Work Soma – represents Body where as Sarx is the word for flesh. For Paul Flesh is creaturely and sinful. Therefore Paul constantly seeks to be at home with God.  Thus according to Paul, after our death we will have Glorified body. Church calls it as the transformed body – No one really knows how will this be?  The scene of transfiguration of Christ gives us a rare glimpse of how this existence/ how our existence would be after we are no more in this world.

Therefore what are the life lessons on the Second Sunday of Lent?

1.      For Abraham and his generation – the sign of the covenant was – circumcision. But for the followers of Christ –Cross is the sign, for the cross of Christ has won redemption for us all. Therefore call of today’s liturgy – to have unwavering faith in the crucified, especially when we are struggling to carry the cross that we have in our lives.

2.      We are also called today to realize that we are in a transitional phase in this world for our home is in God. Once a traveler came and knocked at the door of a castle. A stout man opened the door and the traveler asked him, “Can I kindly stay in this castle tonight?” The man replied- “sorry this castle is not for pilgrims.” The traveler questioned him –“Are you the owner of the castle?” He replied – “I am”. Traveler asked him who lived in this castle before you? He replied –“My Father”. Traveler again asked him – “Who will live in this castle after you?” He replied, “My Son”. Then the traveler smiled at the man and said – “And still you say Sir that this castle is not for pilgrims?

In the words of Teilhard de Chardin – “We are not mere human beings having a spiritual experience rather we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” We are pilgrims on this earth and therefore let our life and actions be directed towards God and his will.

3.      What were the disciples doing during the transfiguration…?  Sleeping. Popular Jesuit spiritual writer – Tony D’mello  says – there are people in the world who are born asleep, who grow up asleep, who marry asleep, have children and finally die asleep without ever waking up. The sleepy state of disciples is the biblical way of inviting us to wake up. Wake up Wake up – Wake up to yourself, Wake up to your Neighbour and above all wake up to God.

4.      Simon Peter, known for his impulsive responses did not really know how to respond to the situation right there.  And Jesus silences him. I just wonder – what would have been the best response. I believe it would have been – silent pondering. True my friends – lent is also a time for silent pondering on our relationship with our Lord. Popular philosopher Camus says – “Where of one shouldn’t speak there of one should be silent”. That would solve half of our problems.

                       Finally dear friends, Years ago there was a little boy studying in the 3^rd Std. That morning he was standing outside headmaster’s office and it was in fact for the 6^th time in past 3 months. His father walked into headmaster’s office. The Principal said, “We can no longer keep your son in our school. He doesn’t listen to anybody. He is good for nothing. Kindly take him.” TC was given. Tears rolled down from his Fathers eyes. As they walked out of the office Son was trembling with fear. Father got into his car and the with fear and trembling son followed him. He was very sure that his Father would thrash him. After a long drive, Father stopped the car. The boy got down and ran quite a long distance and finally stood at a mountain side. His Father followed him. Gently held his hand and said – “ Son, YOU CAN STILL DO IT”.Those 5 magical words transformed his life. A so called good for nothing boy became one of the greatest cardinals – Cardinal Richie Kusche.

   Let us remember friends that we are the citizens of the kingdom of God and our home is in heaven with God. And the Lord tells us the same magical words to us today – Son “ You Can Still Do It.” Let’s begin a new journey with God.