God shows Abraham a new land and a new beginning and promises him prosperity. Abraham had to leave everything; the land of his birth, his kith and kin so as to experience this new identity. Abraham obeys God in faith.
God chooses man to spread the Good News, not because of his worthiness but because of God's over flowing goodness. Therefore we should be prepared to bear up our crosses for the sake of the Gospel.
Jesus goes to the mountain with Peter, James and John. He is seen discussing His future mission with Moses and Elijah. The Apostles wish to remain there. Just then the heaven opens and proclaims that Jesus is the Son of God and that they should listen to Him.
Lent obviously is a season with penitential acts. During this period people pray more fervently and observe Lenten spiritual exercises like the daily Holy Mass, the Way of the Cross, Holy Hours, Vigils, Forty Days, etc. But the way of life thus entered into should not be restricted to this season alone, but be extended to the rest of our lives. Our mortifications, however big are nothing in comparison to the passion and death of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind.
Life is full of challenges. When it comes to special calling as a ministry, a way of life for witnessing, life can pose numerous challenges to the believer. Those who march forward with these challenges will be victorious. Those who evade and dodge will fall by the way side. Suffering contributes possitively to our lives in that it makes us realize that we are not perfect and are very vulnerable and hence the need for the grace of God to surmount these obstacles.
We see how Abraham takes a risk in accepting God's invitation to set out to an unknown destiny. This would have caused him untold headaches. But the very pain of detachment eventually turns out the very source of trust and faith which makes Abraham the father of faith.
Timothy is reminded of the necessity to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. If the preaching of the Good News is to bear fruit it has to involve sacrifices on the part of the preacher. In transfiguration, Jesus is seen discussing issues with Moses and Elijah. Jesus could have decided His future plan of action on His own without any assistance or mediation. At a time when many are questioning about mediators and the right of the church for mediation this text is quite an eye opener.
The story of the Transfiguration is followed by the discourse on Jesus' suffering, Jesus deliberately speaking of His passion to show that the Messiah is also the suffering servant depicted in the latter Isaiahan texts. Jesus rebukes Peter for his purely worldly manner of looking at issues. Jesus entered the glory through suffering, sacrifice mortification and finally death.
This should give us hope and strength to face life's trials and travails with fresh outlook so that Jesus will be our model and finally our victory. Lent should serve us to amend our lives and fall in line with the Way of the Cross.
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