SUNDAY, SECOND WEEK OF LENT
Gn 15: 5-12,17-18 Ps 27 Phil 3: 17–4:1 Lk 9: 28-36
THE FULFILMENT OF THE PROMISE
Faith is a journey, a call to trust in God’s promises even when the fulfilment seems distant or invisible. The day’s liturgy draws us into this journey, unveiling the continuity of God’s covenant and its fulfilment in Christ. It invites us to lift our eyes beyond earthly realities to the hope of heavenly glory and to live as people of promise, transformed by God’s faithfulness.
In the first reading, we encounter Abraham, a man called to trust in a seemingly impossible promise. God tells him to “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so shall your descendants be”. This moment is significant because it highlights the essence of faith: trusting in what is not yet visible. Abraham had no child at the time, and yet he believed, and his faith was credited to him as righteousness. God’s covenant with Abraham is sealed in a dramatic act. A smoking fire pot and a flaming torch pass between the sacrificial pieces, symbolising God’s initiative and His binding commitment to fulfilling the promise. Abraham’s role was simply to trust. This foundational covenant reveals that God’s promises often begin in the unseen, calling us to faith even when the future seems uncertain. Abraham’s story is a reminder for us that faith begins with trust in God’s word, even when the outcomes are beyond our understanding. Just as Abraham looked at the stars and believed, we are called to look at the promises of Scripture and trust that God’s faithfulness endures.
In the second reading taken from the letter to the Philippians, Paul shifts our attention from earthly realities to heavenly glory. He reminds believers that their “citizenship is in heaven.” This reminder to focus on heavenly priorities is a continuation of the covenantal promise made to Abraham. While Abraham was promised land and descendants, Paul reveals that the ultimate fulfilment of God’s covenant is not tied to earthly possessions but to eternal life with Christ. Paul contrasts two mindsets: those whose ‘minds are set on earthly things’ and ‘those who live as citizens of heaven.’ The former are bound by temporary concerns; the latter are transformed by the hope of the resurrection. This transformation is made possible through Christ, who will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body. Paul’s words challenge us to examine our priorities. Are we overly focused on earthly achievements, possessions, or concerns? Or are we living as people of the promise, with our eyes fixed on the eternal inheritance that awaits us?
The moment of the Transfiguration in the gospel offers a glimpse of the glory of Jesus. Peter, James, and John witness Jesus’ face changing in appearance and His clothing becoming dazzling white. This moment is a foretaste of the glory promised to all who remain faithful to God’s covenant. The presence of Moses and Elijah ties the Transfiguration to the covenantal history of Israel. Moses represents the Law, and Elijah the prophets, both of which pointed toward the coming of the Messiah. Their conversation with Jesus about His ‘exodus’ underscores that His passion, death, and resurrection are the culmination of God’s plan. The voice of the Father confirms Jesus as the fulfilment of the covenant. The Transfiguration is a call to faith and hope. It reminds us that the journey of faith leads to glory, even when it passes through the way of the cross. Like the disciples, we are invited to listen to Jesus and allow His glory to transform our lives.
The readings collectively remind us that God’s covenant spans across time and invites us to live as people of hope. How can we do this practically? Let us learn to trust in His timing; let us reflect on areas where we need to surrender control to His plan; let us examine our priorities if they are focused on heavenly goals or earthly concerns. Let us seek moments of divine encounter through prayer, the Holy Eucharist, or Scripture to strengthen our faith. God’s covenant began with Abraham, was fulfilled in Christ, and continues in us. We are heirs of the Promise, journeying toward the glory revealed in Christ. Let us keep our eyes fixed on heaven, trusting in the God who fulfils His promises!
Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation.
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