This is My Beloved Son: Listen to Him

Second Sunday of Lent

Gen 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18/Rom 8:31b-34/Mk 9:2-10

 

The story of Abraham and Isaac always moves me. As a parent, I look at Abraham and wonder what must have been going through his mind as he took Isaac up into the mountain, knowing God wanted Isaac offered as a holocaust—the son whom Abraham had waited for until his old age.

 

How heavy must have Abraham’s heart been as he walked with his son—yet how deep his faith and trust in God must have been! Preparing for the sacrifice, Abraham built an altar and was readying to offer up his son when a voice came from heaven, acknowledging Abraham’s devotion and his willingness to give everything to God, including the very person most precious to him. Upon this, God makes a covenant with Abraham, promising to bless him abundantly—and his ancestors to follow—for his obedience.

 

The story of the Transfiguration parallels the story of Abraham and Isaac—with Jesus ascending the mountain with Peter, James, and John. Transfigured before their eyes, Jesus is joined by Moses and Elijah, with a voice coming down from heaven—reminiscent of not only the Old Testament story but Jesus’ own baptism—a voice proclaiming,  “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him.”

 

Instructed not to tell of the account until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead—the disciples are confused and wonder what being raised from the dead meant.

In short—God asks nothing of us that He would not do for us. Offering His Son on the Cross, Jesus became a holocaust for our sins so that we may know eternal life. Innocence offered for those who were not, saved through suffering and sacrifice for those of His time and all time.

The love God shows for us is beyond our comprehension. All He asks of us is to listen to His Son and turn away from sin. When we do, His blessings pour down upon us and we will know the richness of His mercy, love, and forgiveness. Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it?

 

Despite the great lengths God is willing to go for us, we in our brokenness wrestle with being able to conform our will to His. Rather than humbly bowing down before Him, overcoming the hurdles and breaking down the walls that block the path taking us directly into the Father’s loving arms, we turn our back on God and push Him out of our lives. The culture, political scene, media, even the divisions with the Church work to destroy the very foundation of obedient love we are called to live as a faith-filled people.

 

This week, let us contemplate the obedience of Abraham, the depth of his faith and love for God, and his willing obedience despite what must have been an epic inner struggle. Let us pray that when we are faced with challenging decisions and circumstances, we have the clarity and love to embrace God’s Will. Imagine the society we would create if we followed God’s plan rather than deciding to ignore the words of our Savior, thinking we actually know better than God what was best for humanity and all of His Creation.