A Homily for the 2nd Sunday in Lent (C)
[Click here to go to a podcast of this homily]
Today’s Gospel reading reminded me of something that happened to me when I was a novice for the Dominicans, more than a dozen years ago. Our novitiate was in Denver, and early in the year, kind of a way to get to know each other, we went hiking in the Rocky Mountains — yes, I was younger and in better shape then. It was beautiful, and pretty amazing to see snow on the ground in August.
As we hiked together, we were chatting and joking on the way; probably not unlike Jesus, Peter, James and John in today’s Gospel. Near the top we sat down and admired the view, took in the fresh air. And of course after the exertion of the climb, we were tired, so I can understand Peter, James and John getting sleepy while they were at the top of the mountain.
In today’s Gospel reading, as Peter, James and John slept, Jesus started to pray, and while doing so He is “transfigured” and upon waking, Peter and his companions see Jesus speaking with Moses and the Prophet Elijah. Only in St. Luke’s account of the Transfiguration do we hear what Jesus, Moses and Elijah were discussing – Jesus’ exodus. The Greek word “exodus” means “departure.”
The background for all the Mass readings this month is Israel’s Exodus from slavery in Egypt. The Exodus was the central event in Israel’s religious history. It was that event which convinced them that they were indeed God’s Chosen People, for what other people could claim that God had personally delivered them in their time of trial? As the Israelites settled into their land inheritance, they also fell into sin. The prophets proclaimed to them that it was their sins that led them into the real captivity, the real slavery. The prophets predicted further that God would again personally intervene on their behalf, and that a Messiah would lead them in a “new Exodus,” sealed with a “New Covenant” (i.e., Jer. 23:7-8; 31:31-33).
St. Paul, in today’s second reading, reminds the Philippians, and us, that “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). However, like some of the Philippians, too often our “minds are occupied with earthly things” (Phil. 3:19). The deepest yearning of the human heart is everlasting happiness, and such happiness depends on living in a close relationship with God. Like a plant that never gets sunshine, separated from God the human heart withers.
After Adam and Eve’s Fall in the Garden, staying close to God became impossible. Original Sin causes a loss of grace, and God is too bright for graceless, sin-damaged eyes to see. For souls weakened by sin, God is too far away to find. We would all live in hopeless frustration, unable to embrace God, the only person who can make us truly happy, if it was not for Christ Jesus. He shades the brightness of God, and crosses the distance.
The symbolism of today’s readings reminds us of this dilemma. In the first reading, God makes a covenant with Abram to seal His promise of salvation. By making the covenant God shows that He wants to be close to us, but in fact is still distant. God uses a burning torch and a smoking pot to represent His walking through the sacrificial animals. The smoke of the pot symbolizes God’s mystery. We cannot see God clearly, just as we cannot see through smoke. God’s spiritual purity and brightness are symbolized by the fire. It is too painful to look at directly, and anyone who comes too close will be incinerated.
These two symbols appears in the Gospel’s account of Jesus’ Transfiguration, which is a precursor of the New Covenant He will establish by His sacrifice on the Cross. This time the brightness shines out of Jesus Himself, indicating that God’s spiritual purity is one with Jesus, for Jesus is God. A cloud covers Jesus and a voice from the cloud reveals the mystery of God – in Christ Jesus the distant, mysterious God of the Old Covenant has come to walk with us. It is through and in Jesus that the age of frustration has come to an end. Once again, friendship and closeness with God are made possible.
What should be our response be to this marvelous presence of God in Christ Jesus? We should thank Him for His goodness to us by following His example. By giving us His friendship in Christ, God has bridged the distance between Himself and us in a gentle way. Likewise we should reach out gently to those around us.
Jesus comes down to our level in order to lead us up to His level. He is very patient with us. He even puts up with our tantrums.
Do we treat those around us in such a way? Are we patient with them, even when, especially when, they are throwing tantrums? Do we try to meet people at the level they are at, or do we wait for them to come to our level?
Jesus stills wants to teach the world – the whole world – about God’s goodness and just how much He loves us. Jesus wants to bring every man, woman and child close to God, because He knows that only God can make them truly, eternally happy. While Jesus is the bridge that bridges the gap between God and humankind, we are the stones of that bridge.
I am sure that all of us can think of someone in our lives who we can treat in a more Christ-like way. Maybe they need to hear the Good News. As we receive Holy Communion today, let us ask God to give us the strength to treat that person in a more Christian manner or to share the Gospel with that person who is still living in the darkness and slavery of sin. After we ask for that strength, let us promise to do our best to shine with Christ’s gentle light, bringing happiness to everyone around us [see www.epriest.com, Homily Pack, “Mar 4, 2007, Second Sunday in Lent (C)”].
March 3rd, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Dear Father,
I noticed you have the same banner I designed for my blog, Abbey-Roads2. I actually designed it and asked it to be put up to identify and relate to my blog. I wonder if you wouldn’t mind requesting a different banner for your site?
The template is universal, the banner can be changed to give your site your personal identity.
Thank you.
Terry
March 3rd, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Father, I love the new banner!
Terry
March 3rd, 2007 at 9:01 pm
WOW! I love the new banner too! I cannot take the credit; it was Mr. Anderson (why do I get a Matrix flashback when I say that?). It is really wonderful, thank you Lee (Anderson). Again, Mr. Nelson, I apologize for the mix up, I did not know that the previous banner I was using was designed specifically for your blog. Blessed blogging!
March 3rd, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Actually Terry is the art guy. It was his idea…..Thanks Terry
March 3rd, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Your homily for the week is posted.
March 4th, 2007 at 8:21 am
Father,
I come from an independent Protestant church which, quite unusually, teaches that when we receive the Holy Communion, it is the body and blood of Christ that we are holding as opposed to the typical Protestant view that it is merely a symbol of Christ. I was wondering then, if a Catholic friend of mine comes for service, is he permitted to receive Communion? If not, why?
Thanks!
March 4th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Steph,
Thank you for reading my blog, and for your question. I am not an expert on ecumenism, how the different religious groups relate with each other, but let me answer your question the best I can.
The short answer is “No,” a Catholic friend who attends your service is not permitted to receive Holy Communion at your church. I would refer you to a document published by the US Catholic Bishops last Nov. (2006), “Happy Are Those Who Are Called to His Supper”: On Preparing to Receive Christ Worthily in the Eucharist. Without know more about your independent Protestant church, I am assuming that your church does not have Apostolic Succession. The sacred power of the ordained priest to consecrate bread and wine so that their substance is changed into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus, is not something that they get on their own. Rather Jesus gave that power to the 12 Apostles, who in turned handed it on, by the laying of hands, to others. That sacred power can only be handed down in the Church. Most of the Protestant churches broke with Apostolic Succession several hundred years ago, and they do not use what we as Catholics would recognize as valid sacramental form for Holy Orders (if they even recognize Holy Orders as a sacrament, most do not). There are some “sister Churches” which the Catholic Church recognizes as having Apostolic Succession, thus valid sacraments — the Orthodox Churches of the East and Orient, the Assyrian Church, the Polish National Church. We actually call denominations without Apostolic Succession “ecclesial communities.” What our bishops wrote, says “When participating as guests in worship services in other Christian communities, Catholics are encouraged to join the community in the shared responses and in the singing of hymns. It is not permitted for Catholics to receive communion in other Christian ecclesial communities.” In addition, the Catholic is still obligated to participate in a Catholic Mass on Sunday.
March 5th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
Hmmm…what is this Apostolic Succession? And would that be the only reason that a Catholic can’t receive Communion at my church?
Thank you for asnwering my question!
March 6th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Steph,
Simply put, Apostolic Succession is the fact that Jesus gave sacred powers to the Apostles, who then handed those powers on, directly, to those who would succeed them as bishops (who then gives some of these powers to priests and deacons). Each bishop can trace his episcopal lineage back to one of the Twelve. He is a link to an article which gives more details, http://www.cuf.org/LayWitness/online_view.asp?lwID=1207.
It is a website that has other explanations of aspects of the Catholic Faith. I hope it helps.
March 6th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Fr Garrett,
I was reading in your profile that you have an interest in comic books. Have you ever checked into the Jack Chick anti-Catholic comics?
March 7th, 2007 at 7:47 am
Lee,
No, I have not checked into the Jack Chick, anti-Catholic, comics. I think I saw one of them, and recognized them as rubbish. I have too much to read, and too little time, so I try to stick to good stuff. Spiritually, pretty much anything written by a person or about a person with “St.” before their name. For the past year I have become involved with Communion and Liberation, so I have been reading the works of Msgr. Giussani, the founder. Of course there is Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict, and his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, and the preacher to the Papal Household, Fr. Cantalamesa.
In terms of entertainment, I like Tom Clancy, C.S. Lewis, Isaac Asimov, Tolkien, and of course comics. I never read comics as a kid. I did not read them until I was a priest. I read, The Amazing Spider-Man, The New Avengers, and The Astonishing X-Men. For Lent I give up TV, and read something more classic, in addition to my spiritual reading. This year I am reading the Three Musketeers.