Listen to Jesus, the Son of God

Readings:1^st: Gen 22:1-2. 9-18; Ps: 115:10. 15-19; 2^nd: Rom 8, 31-34: Gos: Mc 9, 2-10

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico. He is the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canóvanas, and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Fr. Canice is a member of the Academy of Homiletics. For more details and comments contact him at canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

(https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8452-8392)

Today marks the beginning of the second week of our Journey with Christ. Today Christ is revealed through his transfiguration as the son of God. The only thing that God demands from us is: “Listen to him!” If we listen to Christ, we shall be successful in our journey with him this season.

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In our first reading from Genesis, Abraham was tested, and he remained faithful to God. God did not require Abraham to do anything that he, as God, would not do. God’s command to Abraham to offer his only son prefigures how God would later offer his son for our salvation. God prevented the sacrifice of Isaac because Abraham’s faith was firm.

What do we learn from Abraham today? The first is that he was attentive to the Word of God and obeyed God’s command. The second is his trust in God. The third is his generosity towards God. This is a season to pause, and to ask God: “Please, Lord, what must I do to make you happy? The answer is simple. We must be ready to listen to God and to do what he asks us to do as Abraham did.

Our second reading is very encouraging because it is full of hope. This is especially during this season of Lent. Paul offers us three assurances: “There is no opposition; there is no condemnation, and there is no separation.” This is because: “God graciously gave His Son for us.” So, like Abraham, God was not selfish. Instead, He willingly gave up his Son for our sake: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” (Jn 3:16).

This means that God is ready to do anything good to save us. All that we need to do is to continue to listen to Christ attentively. God is prepared to make sure that we get to our destination this season because Christ is with us on our journey.

Today’s gospel from Mark presents the scene of the transfiguration of Jesus. He manifests his glory to three of his disciples. The transfiguration reflects the divinity of Jesus. Transfiguration is simply a glimpse of the gift and glory of God. Today, Christ reveals his future glory. However, to attain the fullness of this glory, He must first suffer and be crucified. This is a road that we must also walk to partake in this glory.

Like the second reading, today’s gospel is a message of hope. This is because God revealed to us the glory, which will be ours through Christ. God spoke eloquently and confirms the lordship of Jesus Christ: “This is my beloved…” However, He demands only one thing from us: “Listen to him!”

Listening to Christ means transforming our lives and changing our ways. It means living according to the Word of God we hear every day. Listening to Jesus means obeying His will and paying attention to what the Church teaches us every day.

So, Christ speaks to us through the poor and the marginalized, the defenseless, the sick, the old, abandoned children in our streets, and the millions of aborted babies worldwide. Christ speaks to us through our lonely neighbors who need some care. Christ speaks to us through families and communities in difficulties.

Finally, if we respond to these quickly, rather than being indifferent, then we have listened to Jesus Christ, the beloved son of God.  Through this, “we are walking in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.”

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!