Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.
“Looking Ahead” is a reflection on the Sunday readings, for the Second Sunday of Lent, by Father Perry.
The Bible, all through the Old Testament, tells us that the people believed — if you ever looked at God’s face — you would die. Not that God would kill you, but that you would die because God was too big, too great, too powerful. Maybe it was something like looking at the sun — eventually you would become blind or your sight might be severely compromised.
But Abraham, in this first reading, had quite a relationship with God. They conversed. God led Abraham out to a sacred space for a sacred experience and made a sacred covenant with him.
In the letter to the Philippians we are told that, “our citizenship is in heaven.”
If this doesn’t continue and complete what was said to Abraham, then the truly glorious thing happens in today’s Gospel, as we experience with Peter, James, and John the transfiguration moment. Jesus becomes the most radiant light; and Moses and Elijah appear with him and speak with him, and God speaks to them of his Son, saying —
“Listen to him.”
And there, in the midst of this cloud, with this voice of God surrounding them, they became frightened. But after the voice concluded, and they heard the command to listen to his Son, they looked up and saw Jesus alone with them.
We know this story well. This story is meant to guide us to the same. The transfigured Lord of this story has become the transformed and risen Lord of all time and all creation. We are invited to know him now and be with him forever!
Quote of the week |
“In the search for me I discovered the truth. In the search for truth I discovered love. In the search for love I discovered God. And in God, I have found everything.” — Anonymous.
