Feb 28, 2021 - 2nd Sunday in Lent
(Gn 22:1-18; Rom 8:31-34; Mk 9:2-10)
At each stage of history, God planted seeds that would come to fruition in Christ. The early Church, in imitation of the Apostles, saw what St. Justin Martyr called “seeds of Logos” scattered throughout history as God’s way of preparing Mankind for the coming of the Savior. When Christ – the Logos – came, he gathered in the harvest from all the seeds sown throughout salvation history. Today the Church continues the work of Christ both in the liturgy and the lives of Christians until Christ’s work is completed at the end of time. Paul’s letter to the Christians of Rome emphasizes the promise of salvation for those who are in Christ – no power on heaven or on earth is able to destroy this gift. Sacrifices entailed in maintaining the faith in the midst of persecution were worth the costs. Mark presents the Transfiguration of Christ. It is “the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.” In and through his humble humanity his divinity shines forth. His splendor consists in the coming together of the two natures, without mixing, mingling, or confusion. While we’re journeying to Heaven, we need these reminders of our final destination. The mountain tops provide encouragement for the rest of the journey, but the valleys are often places of deeper communion and friendship with Jesus.