Reflection by Deacon Matt

Reflection for Second Sunday of Lent: 
 
Gen 15:5-12, 17-18: In contemplating God’s Covenant with Abraham, we might be inspired to consider how a Covenant establishes a relationship between two parties. The relationship brings benefits and obligations for both parties. Abraham receives a promise of many descendants and lots of land. Abraham promises God consistently faithful worship and obedience. The formal Covenant ritual is rather like a marriage ritual; with both parties promising faithfulness in keeping their part of the agreement. Reflection on mankind’s relationship with God clearly reveals how perfectly faithful God is. God lives up to every promise made in Covenant relationships with God’s people. It is we who fail to fulfill Covenant conditions and expectations at times; causing great turmoil for us. Breaking promises to God or disobedience to God distances us from our Creator. Henceforth, we must strive to be more faithful and more sincerely prioritize our relationship with God!

Psalm 27: “The Lord is my light and my salvation.” How eminently reasonable is the psalmist’s confidence, placed in our almighty God. We can fully trust in the Almighty’s ability and commitment to protect us from all harm. As the second verse indicates, our God is ever-available, attentive and compassionate. Though the psalmist acknowledges unworthiness of God’s mercy and assistance; out of faith the author still implores God’s infinitely merciful love. This week, we might consider meditating on the fact that we don’t deserve God’s mercy; as we’ve all sinned. Acknowledgement of our sins and pondering how they’ve harmed others and distanced us from God should move us to repentance and to making efforts at reparation. Let’s consider availing ourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, in order to let go of guilt and heal past wounds, caused by our sins. A bright future awaits us; unencumbered by regrets from the past!

Philipians:3:17-4:1: This passage features St. Paul, with a tone of urgency. Paul makes clear to all that entering a Covenant relationship with God, through His Son, Jesus, our Lord, is not mandatory, but up to each individual’s choice for herself/himself. Paul emphasizes that “the choice” is between following the lifestyle and mission of Jesus and His disciples, (which include Paul), or pursuing the defiant and deviant path of those who reject Jesus and the Way of the Cross. Paul displays sorrow over the many souls who pursue worldly allurements and temporal rewards over eternal Salvation and redemption through Christ.

St. Paul encourages Covenant Christians that an eternal reward awaits us, if we persevere in living the Christian faith, humbly, obediently and consistently. He reminds us that we aren’t “citizens of earth,” but future citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom. Consciousness of our eternal destination ought to give us courage to endure present, but temporary suffering. When we reach Heaven we’ll be comforted, welcomed and healed.

Luke 9:28b-36:  We conclude our reflection on Covenant relationships with God, at the scene of Jesus’ Transfiguration. Present is Moses, with whom the first Covenant with God was made. Also present are Elijah, whom, with Moses prophecies about the exodus that Jesus was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. Also attending is God, our Heavenly Father, Who makes His Presence known by His booming Voice, proclaiming Jesus as His beloved Son, of Whom He’s well-pleased. Peter, James and John are privileged witnesses and troubadours of the New Covenant. Do reflect that, as baptized Christians, we’re all mandated to share in that role… as troubadours of the New Covenant; with Jesus as our Messiah, Savior and Redeemer. What a joy and privilege our “role in the Covenant is! 

Joyfully, 
Deacon Matt