Gen 15:5-12,17-18; Ps 26 (27); Phi 3:17-4:1; Lk 9:28-36
The Covent of Hope
Dear friends, today is the second Sunday of Lent. As we continue with our Lenten observances, thinking about the suffering and death of our Lord, the readings bring us the message of hope. When there is a promise of hope at the end, any amount of suffering becomes bearable. However, when there is no hope at all, even a little moment of suffering makes us despair. Hope is the spouse of faith and these two beget love. As Christians, we have a covenant with God that was sealed by the blood of Christ, that if we keep our part of the bargain, we will enter the kingdom of heaven. Our part of the bargain is to believe in God and live according to the teachings of his Christ. Do you keep your part of the Baptism covenant?
In the first reading, we hear that “Abraham believed in God and was justified because of this”. Abraham had a valid reason to doubt the promise of God. This was because at their old age, he and his wife Sarah had no hope of bearing a child to inherit him. However, Abraham put his trust in God and indeed, he became a great nation. God wants to accomplish great things in our lives; however, the greatest obstacle is our lack of faith in God’s promises. Many are those baptized in the name of Jesus Christ but live as though they were not baptized. Do you live faithfully the values of your faith consistently?
St. Paul talks about, “The enemies of the cross of Christ”. Anyone of us can become the enemy of the cross if the way we live is contrary to the Gospel values of love, forgiveness, and charity. This is because some were baptized without embracing the gospel value, and due to a lack of ongoing faith formation. They become worldly and forget their baptismal covenant. Many received what we can call “popular baptism” in emotionally filled services in public spaces. There is barely any instruction on how they should live after Baptism. To baptize someone without first instructing them on the gospel values is like giving a car to someone who is not a driver. This puts his/her life and the lives of others in danger.
In the Gospel today, Jesus gives to Peter, John, and James a foretaste of what he was hoping for after accomplishing his mission. This was meant to give them hope after announcing to them what was awaiting him in Jerusalem. The glory during the transfiguration was so overwhelming that Peter wanted them to remain there and not go back down the mountain where suffering and the cross were waiting. There are many Christians who think like Peter. They would rather spend hours in the adoration chapel praying for all the problems in their families than sitting down with other family members to sort out their differences. Prayers alone cannot save us from the slavery of evil. We must face our reality with active faith.
We go to the Church to worship, but the real Christian life is lived in our families, our neighbourhood, in streets, at workplaces, etc. This is where our faith is tested and weighed and not how solemn and convincing our prayers seem. Let us not spend too much time in places of worship and forget about the ugly situations back at home. Sometimes we do not go to worship but to appease our conscience. We want to remain on the mountain beholding the glory of the transfiguration. After Sunday service, we must go down the mountain to make peace with those living around us, with that neighbour whom you have branded devil, with that workmate whom you do not see face to face, with that relative whom you have branded a witch or wizard. Who knows, he/she too may be thinking the same about you.
Dear friends, I invite you today to introspect ourselves and see if we live the kind of lives that match our consecration. Do you hold grudges against anyone in your neighbourhood, your workplace, your Church, or even in your own family?
Have a fruitful Lent
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 