First Reading: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Second Reading: Philippians 3:17—4:1
Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36
Can we communicate directly with heaven? The answer is “yes”, as in our Lenten journey, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit continue to invite us into a deeper personal relationship. In our 1st reading, Abram does speak directly with God. God’s presence is symbolized by a blazing torch. Perhaps this setting and description can be a bit difficult to understand. It was the custom of the time that when two parties entered into a covenant that they stood between the sacrificial offerings to swear their oath. This ritual created an unbreakable agreement in Abram’s culture. God unconditionally enters into this covenant and therefore walks through alone. At our Baptism, God entered into a covenant with us.
St. Paul in the 2nd reading urges the Philippians to remain firm to their covenant (Baptism), as: “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”. God has chosen us for the glory revealed in today’s gospel story of the Transfiguration. We were chosen, called by name at our Baptism. The priest or deacon at a Baptism makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of the child and says, beginning with the name of the child: “The Christian community welcomes you with great joy. In its name I claim you for Christ our Savior by the sign of his cross. I now trace the cross on your forehead, and invite your parents and godparents to do the same.”
“This is my chosen Son, listen to him.” What is Jesus saying to us that we should be listening? Lent is a season to practice listening…opening our hearts to Jesus each day in prayer.serving those in need – as we know we are serving Jesus…sacrificing and emptying ourselves so Jesus can fill us.
God bless us always!
Deacon Mike