REFLECTION FOR SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT with FR. JOHN MGBEAHURUIKE, SMMM

With FR. JOHN MGBEAHURUIKE, SMMM

THEME: LOOK FORWARD TO THE GLORY 

(2nd Sunday of Lent, Yr.A; Gen 12:1-4a/Ps33/2Tim1:8b-10/Mt.17:1-9)

As Christians our stay here on earth is temporary. We are on a pilgrimage. Our journey is a journey of faith filled with hopes that at the end, having followed Jesus faithfully, He will lead us to our final destination where we shall be with Him in His GLORY in Paradise(Cf.Jn14:3). One of the ENCOURAGING things about God's call is that it goes with a promise, which He will always fulfill. Though God's call goes with some challenges, it brings a GLORIOUS REWARD at last provided we answered it faithfully. Dear in Christ, the call of Abraham in the 1st reading of today is a good example. In this call, Abraham was asked to leave his father's land and comfort zones, to a place only God knows. He was also promised blessings. This promise was an ENCOURAGEMENT to him. It also  ENLIGHTENED him. Thus, he was enabled to answer that call with and in Faith hoping for or looking forward to the promised blessings. Similarly, in today's Gospel(Mt.17:1-9), Jesus through His Transfiguration, encourages and enlightens His followers (represented by Peter, James and John) about the nature of His GLORY which awaits them at last. We recall that Jesus did this shortly after He had told His disciples about His SUFFERING, DEATH & RESURRECTION(Mt.16:21). By revealing His GLORY to them, He wants them to know  that a  REWARD awaits them; that there is GREAT HOPE amidst the sufferings of this passing world.       Lessons: 1. We are encouraged by Jesus in this Lenten season to be firm in our observances despite our difficulties. That the GLORY that awaits us (Rom.8:18) should be our Hope, Inspiration and Motivation. 2. From the Office of the Readings, St.Leo the Great tells us that Jesus, the Son of God and the Messiah, transfigured before His disciples to avoid the disgrace of His passion and the scandal of the cross to break their faith. LET'S NOT GIVE UP. God bless your family. Happy Sunday!