Sunday Readings
“To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” –John Henry Newman
My Dearest Friends in Christ ,
Today is the second Sunday of Lent. The readings remind us that, if we cooperate with the Grace of God, we can achieve an interior transformation of our old self by putting on a new self clothed in holiness and virtue; a transformation that will bring out the best version of ourselves.
Today’s first reading describes the transformation of a pagan patriarch into a believer in one God. We learn of the transformation of his name from Abram to Abraham, and we see the first covenant of God with Abraham’s family as a reward for Abraham’s obedience to God.
In the second reading, St. Paul argues that it is not the observance of the Mosaic Law and circumcision that transforms people into Christians. Hence, Gentiles are not required to become Jews to be Christians.
In the Transfiguration account in today’s Gospel, Jesus is revealed as a glorious figure, superior to Moses and Elijah. The primary purpose of Jesus’ Transfiguration was to allow Him to consult his Heavenly Father to ascertain His Father’s plan for His Son’s suffering, death, and Resurrection. The secondary aim was to make his chosen disciples aware of His Divine Glory; so that they might discard their worldly ambitions and dreams of a conquering political Messiah and might be strengthened in their time of trial. On the mountain, Jesus is identified by the Heavenly Voice as the Son of God. Thus, the Transfiguration experience is a Christophany, that is, a manifestation or revelation of Who Jesus is. In the Transfiguration, the Gospel gives us a glimpse of the Heavenly Glory awaiting those who do God’s Will by putting their trusting Faith in Him.
One thing that is constant in life is change. We all change to be better, or sadly, less than better persons. Parents desire their children to be better citizens. Married people expect each other to change and be better persons. People in relationship expect their friends and relatives to change for the better. Everyone wants another to change and be better persons. But do we desire to change our own lives to be the better version of ourselves, or simply expect those around us to change for their good? Lent is a special period of cultivating the Grace and virtues needed for change and personal transformation. Yet, unless we desire to change to be better children of God and work towards achieving this goal, it will simply end up as mere wishful thinking. If you believe that your life needs transformation and that there is something in you that needs to be improved upon, ask yourself what goals have you set to achieve that transformation. Or are you simply dreaming of a better you ?
It is not simply by our effort alone that we can transform our lives. Our efforts must be accompanied by our cooperation with the Grace of God which makes this personal transformation achievable. No matter how many times you have struggled to overcome a sinful habit or an addiction without success, don’t give up on yourself because God has not given up on you. His Grace abounds for us even in the most difficult times, helping us to break a bad habit and to be a better person. God’s Grace is sufficient for you!
The Lenten Season is an opportune time to declare war on our old self and to achieve interior renewal. Through our prayers, fasting, penances, and good works we are drawn closer to God and acquire His renewing Grace that transforms our lives.
This is is a time to fast from sinful desires. A time to deprive the self of those attractions that lure us into sin. Just as fire quenches when deprived of oxygen, sinful desires die or quench when deprived of those occasions, persons, or things that nurture the sinful desires. In prayers, we obtain the Grace to fight these sinful desires. In almsgiving we denounce those things to which we are so much attached; those things that preoccupy our daily lives and routine, imposing themselves as gods controlling our lives. Are you willing to let them go if you are concerned about interior renewal and transforming yourself? Remember the wise counsel of saints. It is better to stay away from an occasion of sin than to fight sin while on the occasion. If you desire spiritual transformation, be prepared to stay away from occasions that lead you to sin.
We need to be strengthened in the fight against sin and temptations. The Transfiguration of Jesus offers us a message of encouragement and hope. In moments of doubt and during our dark moments of despair and hopelessness, the thought of our transfiguration in Heaven will help us to reach out to God and to listen to His consoling Words: “This is my beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” In listening to the Son we will share in the Glory of His Transfiguration.
May our reception of the Holy Eucharist transform our lives and change us to be better Children of God. No one is born evil or created to be an instrument of disaster to others. Harsh realities and experiences of life might have brought out the bad version of yourself, but you are not a bad person, but a good Child of God. You can drop those ugly behaviors and embrace the Godly life that Christ offered you. Nothing is impossible for a determined soul. Even if you have committed the worst crimes, God still wants you back. Remember every saint has a past and sinners like us have a future of becoming saints. To be perfect, you must keep changing for the better. “To reach something good, it is useful to have gone astray.” -St. Teresa of Avila. Don’t give up! His Grace is sufficient for you!
“When you find your definition in God, you find the very purpose for which you were created. Put your hand into God’s Hand, know His Absolutes, demonstrate His Love, present His Truth, and the message of redemption and transformation will take hold.” – Ravi Zacharias
May Jesus who died on the Cross for our sins transform our sinful and selfish desires into selfless and virtuous desires. May we become transformed to be better Children of God and experience freedom, liberation, and transformation through our Lenten observances.
I keep you and your family always in my prayers. ©Clem C. Aladi (2024)
