THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, YR A
Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 33;
2 Timothy 1:8b-10; Matthew 17:1-9
HE SAVED US AND CALLED US TO A HOLY LIFE
The second reading, which is Paul’s letter to Timothy can be seen as Paul’s farewell message to one whom he loves. In fact, he called him his “true son” (1 Timothy 1:2), and so sends his sentiments of love and encouragement. Writing from Prison and likely preparing to face death while abandoned by others, Paul sees in Timothy his only Faithful companion and so decided to leave with him his spiritual heritage, which is to remain steadfast in the faith.
Paul encourages Timothy to be confident in his faith and apostolate and to emulate him in sharing in the shame and hardship that comes from preaching the gospel with the strength of God. For Paul, suffering and shame for the sake of the gospel does not mean failure because God himself is the one who works with and through us.
This encouragement is to us too who live in a world which is increasingly becoming hostile to Christianity. For this reason, many Christians hide their identity or prefer not to voice their opinions on issues of public interest for fear of persecution. Christianity is counter-culture; it stands boldly against every human sin and corruption. The gospel initially threatens the comfort and prestige of the hearer and calls him to repentance. But it promises something even greater, reconciliation and peace with God and oneself. This Challenge of the gospel is the reason for the persecution because many people enjoy their evil.
The admonishment to Timothy to depend on God’s power and strength is for us also. Without God we can do nothing. He is the one who guides and encourages us. Paul speaks from a position of experience, the experience of one who persecuted Christians and faced persecution himself for the gospel. This testimony of depending on the strength of God is true. We must not be afraid, God is with us.
The season of lent is a moment of renewal of our commitment. A time where we come to the Lord asking him to fortify us against any persecution. A moment of repentance for the moment we have yielded to the oppression of the world. A time we ask him to strengthen our will to stand for the truth.
Paul also mentions that, Jesus saved us and called us to a holy life according to his own designs. This is very important because the way we live matters. We belong to Christ and are called to holiness. It may feel sometimes that we can be on our own, couching out a lifestyle for ourselves. Sometimes besides the dictates of the Bible and the teachings of the church, we seem to draw up our own code of behaviour and attitude. But Paul says, we are saved to a holy life by God’s own designs. No one can fashion a holy life for himself without God. No one can become an independent Christian. You cannot do what you like.
To be a Christian is to allow yourself to live by the codes of Christ. Many of us think that we can fit Jesus into our plans and thoughts, but that is not why he saved us. Come to think of it, if he has to fit into our plans, then we would not need saving. But he saved us so we can have new life. We must learn to fit our plans and thoughts into God’s plan. He must be the determining factor for our every action.
This is what we learn in Lent; we learn to live according to how God desires. We give up our selves totally in order to embrace the newness of life God offers us through Jesus Christ our Lord. In this season, we must put everything aside for God. It is a season of learning what the Lord calls us to, a life of holiness.
May the Lord accompany us with his strength to remain steadfast and may he grant us new life in Christ Jesus. Amen.
God bless you
BY Rev. Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
