If God is for us, who can be against us?

 2nd Sunday of Lent: February 25, 2024

Readings: Genesis 22:1–2, 9–13, 15–18; Psalm 116:10, 15–19; Romans 8:31–34; Mark 9:2–10

The sacrifice of Issac

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/XyfBnIQDVnM 

The absence of imagination in the world of intelligence then knowledge is poor. Both imagination and intelligence must go hand in hand. When intelligence stops, imagination must take its course. The world that we live in lacks both. We know the tree by its fruits. The results the world provides to us are not so optimistic and hopeful. There is so much violence and wickedness because humanity is taking the world as it is. The lack of futuristic thinking is affecting us. The life of tomorrow can be guaranteed by wise decisions and actions of today. The mistakes or blunders of today can cost us tomorrow dearly. The small and bigger wars are going on inside the country and between the countries. The dominance of right-wing politics without a philosophy of a better future, harmony, and consensus is causing more harm than good. In this context, we must read the liturgical readings of the Second Sunday of Lent. The imagination of Abraham, Jesus and Paul are uncontainable in fulfilling the will of God. They are models for our earthly life.

1. Transfigured nature of Jesus - Human to divine

The passage of Mark 9:2–10 describes the Transfiguration of Jesus, an event where Jesus reveals His divine glory before three of His disciples, Peter, James, and John, on a high mountain. The Transfiguration reveals Jesus in His divine glory, affirming His identity as the Son of God. This event not only confirms the divinity of Christ to His disciples but also to us as readers, inviting us to recognize and honor Jesus as both fully God and fully man. It challenges us to deepen our understanding of who Jesus is and to appreciate the mystery of the Incarnation. During the Transfiguration, a voice from heaven says, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." It underscores that listening to Jesus must be a paramount urge within us.  For a Christian, true wisdom and direction come from Christ, and we are called to listen, discern, and follow His words in our daily lives.

The disciples' experience on the mountain is a moment of spiritual empowerment that strengthens their faith at a crisis moment. Divine revelation makes us bold. We must believe and trust in God's timing and plan. We do not know when suffering comes into our lives. But we must ever be ready for good or bad or the worst. That is the paradox of Christian life: that glory often comes through suffering, and resurrection through death. After the cross, there is also glory. In the transfiguration of Jesus, we too ascend to him in our spiritual journey. That's why we have to be alert and open to encountering God in profound ways.

2. The Unassailable Love of God finds expression in the Ultimate Sacrifice of Christ

The passage from Romans 8:31–34 is a powerful testament to the love and assurance we have in God through Christ Jesus. God's unwavering commitment always leads us in this vulnerable world. The powerful question of St Paul is determinantal for our lives: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" This question invites believers to reflect on the omnipotence and steadfast love of God. When God is at our side, no adversary, challenge or enemy can defeat us. We might face difficulties yet there will be a hope that finally God's purpose will prevail.  It encourages a deep trust in God's protective love and power.

"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32). This God's sacrificial love shows the depth of God's generosity. God loved humanity enormously and unmeasurably. Through faith, we are justified before God. No accusation or condemnation can stand against us because it is God Himself who declares us righteous. In other words, God calls us to live in freedom of His forgiveness. Moreover, sitting at the right hand of God, Jesus intercedes for us. Jesus' continual assistance in our ceaseless cleansing, support, and representation before God is ongoing and unending.

3. Test of faith vs divine provision 

Genesis 22:1–2, 9–13 narrates the profound and unsettling story of Abraham's near-sacrifice of his son Isaac, a narrative that has puzzled and intrigued readers for centuries. This tumultuous story of the Father of Faith, Abraham shows his unbridled faith, unquestionable obedience, and ever-ready divine provision, offering several layers of confidence and hope to those who read this passage. In fact, God's request for Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac is one of the most severe tests of faith and obedience recorded in the Scriptures. This narrative invites us to see the nature of true faith — a faith that trusts God even when His commands seem incomprehensible or impossible. Abraham's willingness to obey, despite the personal cost, challenges us to consider the depth of our own faith. Would we trust God's goodness and sovereignty to the same extent, even when His plans are beyond our understanding?

Abraham's response to God's command is simply "yes." Abraham does not question or argue but prepares to do as God has asked. This kind of obedience is nothing but surrendering one's personal desire and ready to accept divine will. The climax of the story, where God provides a ram to be sacrificed in place of Isaac, speaks profoundly of God's provision and intervention. This act of substitution not only spares Isaac but also foreshadows the sacrificial system that finds prominence down the centuries in the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ for humanity's sins. God provides for our needs, often in unexpected and miraculous ways, and calls us to trust in His provision. Tests and trials are nothing but opportunities for spiritual growth. Our own trials and tests can strengthen our faith and deepen our reliance on God. It encourages us to view challenges not as punishments but as opportunities to grow closer to God and to demonstrate our faith and obedience.

Questions for self-reflection

1. When have I experienced a situation that tested my faith, and how did I respond? 
2. In what ways has God heard my cries and delivered me from distress? How often do I take the time to acknowledge these moments and express my gratitude?
3. How comfortable am I with expressing my faith in public? 
4. How can I cultivate a more consistent awareness of God's presence in my life? 

Prayer based on Psalm 116

Gracious and Loving God, I come before You with a heart full of faith, even amidst the depths of my trials. Thank You, Lord, for hearing my voice and my pleas for mercy. In my moments of distress and sorrow, You have been my comfort, my strength, and my deliverer. You have turned my mourning into dancing and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may sing of Your goodness without end.

Lord, help me to always remember the preciousness of life in Your eyes and to live each day as an offering of thanksgiving to You, reflecting the love and grace You have so generously poured into my life. May my actions honor You, and may my words bring glory to Your name. Teach me to serve You faithfully, to love deeply, and to extend mercy and kindness, mirroring the mercy You have shown me. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ
February 23, 2024