2nd SUNDAY OF LENT - Gospel (Matthew 17:1-9) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
- NHA CHUA CHA
- Mar 2
- 5 min read
FIRST READING - Gen 12:1-4a
"I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you."
A reading from the Book of Genesis
1 The Lord said to Abram: Go forth[a] from your land, your relatives, and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. 2 [b]I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will find blessing in you.[c]
4 Abram went as the Lord directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
SECOND READING - 2 Tm 1:8b-10
"He saved us and called us to a holy life."
A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy
8 So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,[a] nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.
9 [b]He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 17:1-9
"His face shone like the sun."
✠From the Gospel according to Matthew
[a] 1 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.[b] 2 [c]And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. 3 [d]And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents[e] here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,[f] then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 [g]When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” 8 And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
[h] 9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision[i] to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
2nd SUNDAY OF LENT - Gospel (Matthew 17:1-9)
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear people of God,
In today's Word of God, God the Father calls upon all humanity to turn towards God the Father in heaven, who is the only One who brings eternal life to humanity. Therefore, God's call to Patriarch Abraham from the very beginning was to abandon all things to go to a place that God has prepared.
All who heed His call, respond to it, and follow the light that shows His way, will please Him and will receive abundant grace from Him, not only in this life but also in the life to come.
God’s light and love will cover all people who believe, hope, trust, and love God above all things, doing all things that please God the Father, and doing nothing according to the temptation of Satan, of mankind, or of the world.
Patriarch Abraham set a bright example for the people He chose by daring to abandon all: material possessions, the world, people, and family, to follow God the Father’s guidance and enlightenment. That image has left for future generations an example of faith, of reverence for the one God—loving God as the only One; He alone is God; apart from Him, there is no other god who can grant eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven to humanity.
God's call in today's world is also the same! He calls all humanity to live and act according to the ways taught by God the Father.
As in today's Word of God, God the Father declares to humanity: “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him.”
So, how does humanity respond to the voice of God the Father proclaiming to humanity in today's world?
Listen to Him!
Listen to the Word of God taught through the image of Jesus Christ who came down to earth as man to save all humanity – an image that shines brightly for all humanity, revealing to humanity a strong faith in the supreme, powerful God -- through Jesus Christ's transfiguration on the mountain, shining like the sun, and no light can shine as brightly as the power of God's love, radiating for the Apostles to see in the person of Jesus Christ during His transfiguration on Mount Tabor.
A belief, a faith, and the truth that the Son of God came down to earth as man to save all humanity.
On this year's Second Sunday of Lent, God the Father especially emphasizes to all humanity: live and act according to the call of God the Father, respond to the vocation of consecrating both soul and body to God the Father, in complete obedience to His holy will so as to be with Him, like the image of the three disciples: Peter, John, James, whom God led up the mountain with Him and who experienced a glimpse of God's light during the transfiguration on the mountain.
A radiance, a light that no darkness can overshadow; that is the glorious image of the Most High God radiating brightly for humanity to get just a glimpse of it..
What is humanity that God loves so much?
What is man that He must reveal the light of His glory to?
There is no light that can compare, except God alone.
Before the light of God's love and grace brought to humanity, with absolute trust in God and His teachings to humanity, how then should humanity live before the holy presence of God?
First and foremost, God the Father calls upon all humanity to renounce sin, to repent, to beat our chests, bow our heads, and prostrate ourselves before God the Father, to be reconciled with Him, to abandon sin, to sacrifice, fast, pray, and atone for sins right here on earth.
Trust absolutely in the Real and Present Word of God, follow the Eternal Word of God, and do not do anything displeasing to God.
Do exactly Whatever God says, do not disobey His command.
If He calls to go, then rise and go. If He calls to renounce, then renounce.
If He calls to consecrate, then consecrate. If He calls to live for God, then live for God. If He calls to renounce all things of the world to follow God, then serve Him in all places and at all times.
Wherever He is, humanity should be there with Him in this life to serve, to praise, to worship, to glorify God, and to love humanity.
It is for this reason that God the Father revealed to humanity a glimpse of His light and grace on the mountain to strengthen faith and belief, and in a way, to emphasize and call upon humanity to obey the Word of the Only Begotten Son of God who came down to earth as man.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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