Readings for the Second Sunday of Lent: February 21, 2016
Genesis 15: 5 – 12,17 -18
Philippians 3: 17 – 41
Luke 9: 28b – 36
Light, Fire, Love are transformative!
Light, Fire, Love manifest the presence of God!
Light, Fire, Love have fascinated human beings all through the ages!
These three dynamic energies have worked miracles – not only by changing things, but more importantly, by changing the minds, hearts, and spirits of human beings.
Today’s first reading invites us to join Abram and look at the bright light of the stars in the heavens. We are further called to enter the mystery of the fiery torch that passed through the sacrifices that Abram prepared for the Lord. As a result Abram received the gift of faith and was able to move forward to a new land with the Living God.
In the Gospel, Peter, James and John were overwhelmed by the transfiguration of Jesus. The light, radiance, and glory of the Lord moved them to respond to the miracle right before their very eyes. Albeit, their desire to build three tents wasn’t exactly where they were being led. But their insight “Lord, it is good for us to be here” was a Eureka moment.
Here and now, this moment is where we encounter the Living God- the radiant face of God, in Jesus, and the fire of God’s love through the Holy Spirit. Here and now is where the power of God’s love (grace) will energize us to live this moment to the fullest. Every second of every day offers us a transforming moment- a miracle to see, and to know how “good it is for us to be here”; and sometimes in some of those moments we actually notice and are aware of the miracle that is being offered to us.
Perhaps this week and throughout Lent we can pray for the grace to use the grace being freely given to us. Perhaps we can pray to be faithful enough to let God’s Light, Fire, and Love transform our hearts, so that our faces, our words, and our deeds manifest the joy of our Risen Savior!
by Sr. Gerrie Contento, M.P.F.