Second Sunday of Lent

Mass Readings

• First Reading Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
• Responsorial Psalm Psalm 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19
• Second Reading Romans 8:31b-34
• Gospel Mark 9:2-10

Open the Mass Readings on USCCB.org →

Step Into the Story

Genesis 22, the Akedah or “binding,” sends Abraham to “the land of Moriah,” a three days’ journey from his camp. Second Chronicles later identifies Mount Moriah with the hill where Solomon built the Temple, around 960 B.C. Isaac carries the wood; Abraham carries the fire and the knife. At the last moment a ram caught in a thicket takes the boy’s place. Paul reaches back to this scene in Romans: God did not spare His own Son.

Six days after Peter’s confession at Caesarea Philippi, probably in 29 A.D., Jesus takes Peter, James and his brother John up a high mountain, by themselves. Mark gives it no name. Since Origen in the 200s, Christians have pointed to Mount Tabor, a lonely dome some 1,900 feet above the Jezreel Valley; many scholars prefer Mount Hermon, over 9,000 feet, closer to Caesarea Philippi. Either way it is a hard climb.

1. c. 960 B.C.Solomon builds the Temple
2. 4 B.C.Philip rules the north
3. 14 A.D.Tiberius becomes emperor
4. c. 29 A.D.Peter’s confession
5. This week’s scene: c. 29 A.D.Jesus transfigured

Climb behind the three fishermen. Feel your legs burn and your breath shorten as the path steepens. The air thins and cools, and the wind finds you. Look back: the land falls away below, fields and villages small as a child’s toys. At the top, the others drop to rest. Stand a little apart and watch Jesus as He prays. Something is about to happen to His face.

Encounter the Lord

Climb the mountain with Peter, James and John. A week ago Jesus told them He would suffer and die, and they did not understand. Now, suddenly, His clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah are talking with Him, and a voice from the cloud says, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”

Jesus lets them see His glory so that they will not lose faith when they see Him on the cross. Abraham walked up another mountain, ready to give up the son he loved, trusting that God would provide. On Calvary God did what He spared Abraham from doing: He gave His own Son. If God is for us, who can be against us? The way to glory passes through the cross, and Jesus walks it with you.

This week, take the Father’s words literally: listen to Him. Read one Gospel passage each day and ask, “Lord, what are You saying to me?” Write down one sentence.

Know Your Faith

The Transfiguration

Jesus discloses His divine glory for a moment, confirming Peter’s confession, and reveals that He must go by way of the cross to enter His glory (CCC 554-555). The Transfiguration strengthens the apostles’ faith in anticipation of the Passion (CCC 568) and gives us a foretaste of Christ’s glorious coming (CCC 556).

The Obedience of Abraham

God called Abraham to gather scattered humanity (CCC 59). Abraham’s faith did not weaken when he was asked to sacrifice his son, and so he was conformed to the likeness of the Father who would not spare His own Son (CCC 2572).

What Faith Is

Faith is a grace and a free human act. It is certain, it seeks understanding, and it is necessary for salvation (CCC 153-159).

God Is for Us

Jesus did not experience rejection as if He Himself had sinned. In redeeming love He took our place, and God “did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all” (CCC 603).