February 2024 Allocutio

Allocutio February 2024

Homily for 2nd Sunday of Lent. by Fr. Benjamin Saliba

Today’s first reading is one of the reasons people think the apparent God of the Old Testament was mean and wrathful. Why would a good and loving God ask Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac on the mountain? I am sure we have all thought about how to answer this question to a person who may be questioning or hostile toward our faith. The story of Abraham and Isaac contains themes of trust and providence, obedience and mercy. More importantly the story of Abraham and Isaac is brought to its completion in salvation history – most notably the offering of God the Father’s only son – our Lord and saviour – as this is the only sacrifice that takes away the sins of the world.

The imagery also contains a stark contrast between man’s mountain experience and Gods. Notice here how Abraham and Isaac ascended a mountain to perform this sacrifice? It is the place where man speaks to God. The mountain experience is also where Jesus is transfigured in our Gospel this morning – his followers – Peter, James and John are all witnesses to this. There, God the Father speaks to them all, saying “This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.” Interestingly, this mountain experience comes only moments after Jesus explains that the son of man is to suffer many things, be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and to be killed. The scandal of the cross was too much for the human heart to bear. The transfiguration is a taste of the glory to come through the resurrection, but not without having experienced the cross first. Jesus’ soul – united to the Word, enjoyed the Beatific vision has always been glorified.

On this mountain experience Jesus permitted some rays from his Blessed soul to shine forth for a few brief moments. This glory experienced by the apostles lasted only but a few moments – that is all it took for Peter to offer permanent residency to the Lord and his guests on the mountain. This is a wonderful insight into the human condition. When we are experiencing some kind of consolation, we oftentimes don’t want the moment to end because it takes us away from our pain and suffering. The temptation can be to want to always live in that moment or desire to have that experience again (to set up metaphorical tents and dwell there forever). What Jesus teaches us about this mindset today is that these moments should never be sought after for their own sake – consolations are just that – momentary – not permanent.

They offer us an insight into what is to come but to seek them out for their own sake is to take our eyes off the promise of permanent glory.

The consolation received by Peter, James and John on the mountain would have been something they reflected on for the rest of their lives, as evidenced by Peter’s allusion to the Transfiguration in his second letter in the scriptures. It would be something that helps them remain followers of Christ, it would have been something they thought about in times of persecution and suffering. You and I, brothers and sisters must internalise the great event of the Transfiguration, we must believe it, knowing that if you and I are faithful followers of Christ, we will be consoled by this glimpse of glory, believing that one day we too will enjoy the Glory of the resurrection.

It is only God who can eradicate death and sin, it was never meant to be for Abraham and Isaac in the old testament – these figures point perfectly in the direction of God the Father and the Son who, of his own accord went to the cross to offer the ultimate sacrifice. It is only God who can secure for us a place in heaven, and it is only God who you and I should seek out above all – family, friends, career, material possessions, all good in and of themselves, all need to be respected and balanced. All of these things along with consolations, helps, friendships, understanding, esteem and encouragement are all good, but only to the extent that God permits us to enjoy them. He often makes use of these things to encourage us in our weakness, however they should never be sought after for their own sake.

So as we continue our Lenten journey, let’s rewire our outlook on things and put God first. Permit me Lord to follow you – not only on the holy mountain where you were transfigured in glory, but also to Calvary where you hang on the cross for my sins. Lord, help destroy sin in me, the sin that disfigured your face and the sin that disfigures my soul which has been created in your image and likeness. To bring about this change, I must share your calvary, your cross – and it is only through this journey that I will see eternal glory.