DARKNESS, LIGHT, AND GLORY - 2ND SUNDAY OF LENT (3/13/2022)

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

March 13, 2022

Genesis 15:5-12,17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 9:28-36

DARKNESS, LIGHT AND GLORY

The Second Sunday of Lent is a liturgy of contrasts. The first reading relates God's covenant with Abraham, using fire, shining in the darkness. The gospel describes the glorious Transfiguration of Jesus, probably in the dark of night. In the second reading, there is the contrast of our lowly body with the glorified body of Christ and the promise of our own transformation.

GENESIS

The Old Testament relates a number of God's covenants with man. In this first reading from Genesis, we hear about God's covenant with Abram (Abraham). In the culture of the time, two people executed a solemn covenant or contract by splitting an animal in two. Each party would then walk between the two halves of the animal, symbolizing that they are willing to suffer the same fate if they break the agreement.

On God's part, he sends a smoking brazier and flaming torch in the midst of "a deep, terrifying darkness." 

Noteworthy also is God's gift of the land to Abraham and God's promise to give him descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky.

GOSPEL

In St. Luke's account of the Transfiguration, we get a hint that it might have taken place in the dark of night. Luke tells us that Peter, James and John were "overcome by sleep," which would be more understandable at night.

While Matthew and Mark record that Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking to Jesus, only Luke tells us that they were speaking about "his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem," referring, of course, to Jesus' death and resurrection.

The voice of the Father is heard, even as it was at Jesus' baptism in the Jordan, using similar words but with one addition: "Listen to him." (Perhaps because they were not, in fact, listening to him.)

PHILIPPIANS

Our second reading from St. Paul's letter to the Philippians contains some "hard truths." Many people, Paul says, "conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ." He continues with a graphic description: "Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their "shame." He then makes a contrast: "Their minds are occupied with earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven..."

St. Paul encourages the Philippians, and us, by saying that the Lord will change our lowly body to conform to his glorified body. Let us stand firm in the Lord!

LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5). This verse from the Prologue of St. John's gospel describes the life and mission of Jesus, and seems relevant to the Transfiguration.

It is interesting that John's gospel has a light/darkness contrast running through it, yet does not record the Transfiguration.

In order for Jesus to be raised from the dead and ascend to the Father, he had to undergo the cruel passion and death on the cross. It is fitting that we ponder the Transfiguration during our Lenten journey to Easter, in the hope that "He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body..."

Keep in mind that if we die with the Lord, we believe we will also live with him (cf. Rom. 6:8; 2 Tim. 2:11). In this hope, we press on!