Gulf Pine Catholic
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February 27, 2015
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As you read today’s commentary we are just 11 days
into Lent. Some of us have already given up on what we
promised to give up. We may have slacked off on extra
times of prayer, good deeds, visits
to Adoration or any number of
things we vowed to take action on
in Lent’s beginning.
But take heart. Being aware we
have slacked off a bit is a sign the
Holy Spirit is working in us and
empowering a new resolve for
greater persistence -- now we need
to act on the promptings. Start by
paying attention to the Sunday and
daily scripture readings during
Lent and focusing our prayer and
meditation on some of the
powerful themes they present for
spiritual growth. There’s new
beginnings, fasting, prayer,
almsgiving, forgiveness, hardness
of heart, primacy of justice and love over power and
possession, faith, trust, obedience to God’s will, the
greatest commandment, God’s grace and a call to
holiness. Additionally, we read of sinners come to
conversion and faith heroes strengthened; Abraham,
Moses, Esther, Naaman, Peter, James, John, Paul, Philip,
Andrew, Nicodemus and the Prodigal son. These are real
people whom have encountered God in a personal way,
and whose lives we can emulate. Each of them through
many diverse circumstances discovered that faith will
bear fruit only when girded with actions.
Search the Catechism of the Catholic Church www.
scborromeo.org/ccc.htm, the Catholic Encyclopedia
or
to learn more
on the scripture themes and faith heroes mentioned
above.
Now to today’s readings!
Although Abraham’s wife, Sarah, could not have
children, God vowed Abraham’s descendants would be
as numerous as the stars in the sky. Abraham put his faith
in the Lord’s promise (Genesis 15:2-6) and one year later
Sarah had a son, and named him Isaac (Genesis 21:1-3).
What follows, in today’s reading, is a drama-packed
account where God commands Abraham to put faith into
action by offering his son in sacrifice. To grasp the
powerful Biblical lessons of this story focus only on
Abraham’s response, not on God’s shocking command.
Read Genesis 22:1-18. Put yourself in Abraham’s
sandals when in verse 1b he replies, “Ready” -- declaring
he will do whatever God commands even before knowing
the task. Reflect on Abraham’s inner thoughts as he
saddles the donkey, gathers wood for the fire and sets out
for the three day journey, with Isaac at his side. Grapple
with Abraham’s elusive response to Isaac’s innocent
question, “Where is the sheep for the holocaust?” As
each detail unfolds, from building the altar and tying
Isaac to it, to Abraham’s poised knife, ready to claim his
son’s life, marvel at Abraham’s incredible trust that God
will somehow keep his promise of numerous descendants.
Think about Isaac’s docile obedience, Pause at Genesis
22: 9-18, “I now know…” Certainly God, who knows
everything, knew how Abraham would respond! But
until he acted, Abraham didn’t know he would
courageously carry out what his faith declared. What
faith challenges should you tackle with God’s help and
how far will you go to carry out His will as revealed in
the scriptures, Church Tradition, and the Magisterium?
The first 8¾ chapters of Mark’s Gospel show a
snapshot of Jesus in action. He teaches, heals, drives out
demons, raises the dead, walks on water, calms a storm
at sea and speaks as if he is God. His miracle working
power attracted huge crowds and encouraged his apostles
in their commitments. They had attached themselves to
the living God to whom nothing was impossible and
undoubtedly rejoiced at what they witnessed. But when
Jesus predicted he would suffer, die and rise again it
shook their faith. Peter was cut to the heart and responded
with disbelief, prompting Jesus’ rebuke for cooperating
with Satan to foil God’s plans (Mark 8:31-33). Caution:
even genuine compassion, if contrary to God’s will, can
derail us from growing in holiness.
Today’s Gospel offers the consolation all of us need
when faced with difficulty. Through the eyewitnesses
(Peter, James and John) we experience the reward of
fidelity to God. Jesus, the fulfillment of the law and the
prophets as represented by Moses and Elijah, is
transfigured in his glory. On that mountain, the triune
God is represented. The voice of God speaks, the Spirit
appears in a cloud and Jesus remains to be with us
forever. God demonstrates his desire for our salvation
through the Transfiguration that where Jesus is, we can
hope to be.
We never again have to wonder if glimpses of glory
that we receive from God are real. They come, enabling
us to descend the mountain with Jesus and put faith into
action.
For Reflection:
1. How do I measure against the obedience that God
requires of a chosen servant?
2. How do I act on the belief that God’s promises and
intervention are in my best interest?
Action Response:
Attend Adoration, Stations of the Cross, daily Mass,
and Confession. Pray God’s will to be done in and
through you.
Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is as-
signed to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his website:
deaconralph.com.
1st Reading: Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Psalm: 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19
2nd Reading: Romans 8:31b-34
Gospel: Mark 9:2-10
2nd Sunday of Lent
Faith calling
Deacon Torrell
i
Sunday
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