Homily: Second Sunday of
Lent (A)
Rise Up, Do Not Be Afraid (Matt17:7)
Fr. Udoekpo Michael Ufok
v Gen 12:1-4a
v Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22
v 2 Tim 1:8b-10
v Matt 17:1-9
In
today’s Gospel reading, which tells of transfiguration and renewal (Matt 17:1-9),
Jesus tells his disciples on Mount Tabor to “Get up and do not be afraid.” This
seems to capture the essence of today’s readings and the spirit of Lenten prayer,
alms giving, fasting, and retreats. Our life journeys are characterized by uncertainty,
challenges, hardships, trials, and sometimes unpredictable circumstances. These
trials can show up in any disguise: Trials of poverty and trials of abuse of wealth
and the inordinate desire for pleasure; trials of lack of comfort and trials of
abuse of comfort, forgetting God, the poor, the needy, and the common good; trials
of impatience and trials of indifference about the plight of our neighbors; trials
of overreaction and trials of uneasiness about change, transformation, renewal,
or fear of the unknown. We can only accomplish our Christian journeys if we trust
and hope in God, if we put our faith in God—if we are ready, like Abraham, Christ’s
disciples, and Paul, to rise up, take up our crosses daily, and follow Jesus on
his journey to heavenly glory!
In Genesis
12, the patriarch Abraham is told to embark on a journey to the land God promised
to him and to never be afraid. Trusting in God, Abraham did exactly this. He left
his native Mesopotamia and set out—without a GPS—to an unknown destination, a land
that God would show him. He meets all kinds of trials. Sarah is barren for some
time. How, then, would God’s promise of many children come to fulfillment (Gen 11:31;
16ff)? King Pharaoh threatens Sarah and the veracity of Abraham (Gen 12:10-20).
This goes on and on. In these trying moments, the only thing Abraham has is putting
his faith, hope, and trust in God. He keeps going. He journeys on. He is ready for
change guided by God. He is not beaten down by the trials and hardships of his journey.
How do
we handle our daily trials, illnesses, deprivations, hunger, and confusion? Do we
throw in the towel, or do we keep rising, keep walking, and keep going in faith,
open to renewal?
Let’s
return to that story of the transfiguration. On his journey to the cross, Jesus
brought his disciples Peter, James, and John to the mountain of transfiguration,
Mount Tabor, where Jesus’ face was transfigured and transformed. Christ’s face shone
like the sun. His clothing also shone white, like a bright light. Moses, the law
giver, and Elijah, the prophet, also appeared to them, chatting with Jesus. We
have so many transformations here! The brightness of the sun and the serenity of
this mountain top gave the disciples such joy and peace that they wanted to remain
there forever, building houses for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus.
But for
Jesus, the journey was not complete without his cross. The Tabor experience was
only the foretaste of his glorious coming, a foretaste of victory on the cross.
The disciples would have to keep going and be patient with themselves; they
would have to live without fear, not complain, and not tell anyone about this mountain-top
experience, this vision, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. The glory
of this vision is not earthbound, but heaven-bound. Our Christian journeys are not
earthbound, but heaven-bound. Our Lenten charities and disciplines are not earthbound,
but heaven-bound; they continue to the resurrection.
Paul
understood this as well. The missionary journeys he took following his conversion
and personal transformation were marked by challenges. He was beaten, shipwrecked,
and thrown into prison. He bore these challenges patiently because he knew they
were not earthbound, but heaven-bound. Paul’s goal was heaven, where God’s glory
awaited him. For this reason he says to Timothy, “join with me in suffering for
the gospel, relying on the power of God” (2 Tim 1:8). Who is God? The God of God
of Abraham (Gen 12), who commands Jesus’ disciples in today’s Gospel to “Listen
to him” (Matt 17:5), who commands us to “Get up and do not be afraid” (Matt 17:7)!
What
challenges do we face as we journey through Lent? Are we tempted by temporary pleasure,
alcohol or drug abuse, physical abuse, an inordinate taste for power or material
possessions, attachment to electronic gadgets, selfishness, an indifferent attitude,
or insensitivity to your neighbor’s suffering? Or perhaps our challenges take
the form of hunger, joblessness, uneasiness about change, injustice, violence, scandal,
stress, betrayal, illness, disappointment, or difficulty coping with the loss of
a loved one. How do we move beyond these challenges, beyond the Tabor
experience?
Whatever
form the trials and hardships we experience, the Jesus of Lent and the Son of the
God of Abraham wants us to rise up and not be afraid as we journey in faith, hope,
and love.
Reflection Questions:
1. What are your fears and trials? How do you, in light
of today’s Bible readings, handle them in your faith community?
2. How do you manage your blessings of wealth and comfort
so that they do not alienate you from the glory of the Lord?
3. In faith and trust in God, do you see your Christian
pilgrimage as earthbound or heaven-bound?
