Second Sunday of Lent [A]

 


SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT [A]


This weekend, it’s all about being called. It’s an abstract call that appears within our second reading: specifically, the call to holiness (2nd Tim. 1:9). Meanwhile, the other two readings portray something of a more literal nature. As a result of his call, Abraham migrates from the far east, settling initially in Egypt, and then proceeding on into the land of Canaan (see Gen. 12:1-4; 15:18-21; 16:3). Thus, there is a geographical dimension to the call that Abraham receives. As for Peter, James, and John, their call will lead them to the top of a peak, known as Mt. Tabor (Matt. 17:1-8). It’s not an east-to-west journey, but rather a journey that takes them to a higher altitude. 


With regard to Abraham, his call could be described as the most dramatic. Here he is, a man of advanced age (Gen. 12:4), being essentially uprooted, leaving behind all that is familiar to him, so that he can venture into the unknown. Imagine the apprehension! How would you feel, being imposed upon in that way? Or, how would you feel about the prospect of being marched up the side of a tall mountain? Does an uphill journey appeal to you? Do you really want to be affiliated with this type of a Lord? Is it possible that he might be asking too much of you? Before answering, you owe it to yourself to keep on reading. 


Unparalleled blessings are in store for Abraham (see Gen. 22:17-18). Peter, James, and John will likewise be blessed, once they have completed their arduous climb. They will experience the miracle of the Transfiguration. What does the Transfiguration involve? It’s basically a glimpse of glory. Soon, they will be facing the darkest of all dark chapters: Calvary. They will do so, having filed away the memory of what has taken place on Mt. Tabor. On Mt. Tabor, Jesus shines in resurrection glory. He is providing them with a preview of what will happen at Easter. Yes, we are coming up on a very dark chapter. Nevertheless, there will be another chapter to follow the chapter of Calvary. 


In other words, the Lord is being good to them. It’s a message of reassurance. He’s being good to them, just as he was being good to Abraham. So perhaps you do want to be affiliated with this Lord. By way of illustration, let’s consider the Snows of Kilimanjaro, a short-story published by Ernest Hemingway back in 1936. He opens by referencing a discovery that was made, near the western summit of Kilimanjaro: the carcass of a leopard. It’s not what you would expect to find when you’re navigating through the “snows” of Kilimanjaro. Why would the leopard wander into such an inhospitable environment? Was it stalking a mountain goat? Was it lost? Or simply curious? All we know for sure is that the climb was too much for the leopard. 


Deep down, we worry that the Lord will be asking too much of us. Can you handle it, if the Lord asks you to uproot yourself? Will you be alright, if the Lord leads you into unfamiliar territory? Is the mountain going to be too tall? Too high? Too much of a slope? Will you end up just like the leopard? There is the voice of worry. And then there is the voice of scripture. Instead of focusing on the leopard, focus rather on Abraham. Or on the apostles. The Lord is being good to them. Yes, he’s challenging them. But in the process, he is also being good to them. And he’s being equally good to you. He’s not drawing you to your destruction; he’s drawing you to an abundance of glory. By giving the Lord a legitimate chance, you will find yourself echoing the apostle Peter: It “is good” that I am where I am (Matt. 17:4). 

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