HOMILY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: THE GREAT COMMAND
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
(Mt. 9:2-10) Second Sunday of Lent, (Day 12 of Lent)
In today’s Gospel, the Second Sunday of Lent, we hear the Gospel on the Transfiguration of Jesus. It is that opportune moment when Jesus reveals His divinity to the apostles Peter, James and John. It was so mysterious and grace-filled experience that Peter wanted to remain up there on the mountain. But they were there for another purpose. The Father commanded them, through a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him!” Now, God is not anymore at a distance. He can now be seen, heard and felt in and through Jesus.
The command to listen is very vital in the life of a believer. It is a very important component of our relationship with God. It is interesting to note that God’s dealings with His people is defined by how much they had listen to God. In the first reading, Abraham heard what God wanted Him to do. Abraham acted on it. That is what listening is about. It is not just an act of the ear but of the whole person. It was a difficult command. Abraham was being asked to sacrifice his son. Yet, Abraham obeyed, in faith.
The succeeding events after the transfiguration will be a test of how much the apostles had listen to Jesus. It will not be an easy task to follow Jesus. In fact, in Gethsemane, the apostles wavered. Peter, himself, denied the Lord thrice. Only John was left on the foot of the cross of the dying Jesus. But the apostles will revoker after the resurrection. It proves that listening is a process. What matters is to live out what were heard. Abraham and Jesus gave a good example. Hearing God, they went to obey in and with faith. Listening goes along with faith if it is to achieve the commands of God.
Entering the second week of Lent, therefore, reminds us to listen to God. So many messages are coming from God these days. We need to listen with our whole being. We should hear not only the words and their sounds but also their intentions and meanings. We need to be silent. Silence here is not about the absence of noise. It is about the openness of oneself to God.Let God talk to you. Let God speak. Let us listen! “Speak, Lord! Your servant is listening!
