From Doubt to Divine Encounter

March 16, 2025 Second Sunday of Lent
Daily Readings: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 9:28b-36

Have you ever been promised something so incredible that it seemed impossible to believe? Abraham faced such a promise. In the Gospel, the disciples witnessed a glimpse of glory that was beyond their comprehension. Today’s readings invite us to trust in God’s promises, walk in faith, and be transformed by encountering Christ.

In Genesis, God takes Abraham outside and says, "Look up at the sky and count the stars, if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be" (Gen 15:5). Abraham believed, even when he had no visible reason to do so. His faith made him righteous. Often, we too doubt God’s promises when we don’t see immediate results. Like Abraham, we are called to trust God even when His plans seem delayed. God’s timing is perfect. Abraham’s story reminds us that God’s promises are certain, even when they unfold beyond our understanding. Trust transforms waiting into preparation.

St. Paul reminds us in the second reading that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil 3:20). He urges the Philippians to stand firm in the Lord. Many today live focused on earthly gains, forgetting the eternal perspective. But we are invited to walk a path that reflects our heavenly citizenship. This journey isn’t always easy. Paul speaks of those who live as enemies of the cross, whose minds are set on earthly things. Yet, he calls us to imitate him, to live in the light of Christ’s promise of transformation. One day, our bodies, sufferings, and struggles will be transformed to reflect Christ’s glory.

Today’s Gospel reveals the Transfiguration as a powerful manifestation of Jesus’ divinity. Peter, James, and John witness Jesus in dazzling glory, speaking with Moses and Elijah. It’s a moment of profound transformation, a foretaste of resurrection glory. Yet, what follows this mountaintop experience is a descent back into the realities of daily life and the journey to the cross. Peter wanted to stay on the mountain. Don’t we all long for those spiritual highs to last? But true transformation happens when we carry the glory of that encounter into our daily struggles. The voice from the cloud proclaims, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him” (Luke 9:35). Transformation comes through hearing and obeying Christ.

These three readings—**Abraham’s trust, Paul’s call to heavenly citizenship, and the disciples’ encounter with the transfigured Christ—**all point to the transformative power of a relationship with God. Faith is not just intellectual; it is a lived response that changes us. After witnessing the Transfiguration, the disciples had to continue following Jesus toward Jerusalem and the cross. Likewise, our encounters with God empower us to face challenges, trusting that His promises will be fulfilled.

In our daily lives, we can apply these lessons by embracing faith during uncertain times, prioritizing eternal values over temporary distractions, and seeking transformation through prayer, Scripture, and acts of compassion. Let us carry the glory of our encounters with God into our homes, workplaces, and communities, living as true reflections of Christ’s love and light.

Call to Action for Catholic Living:  Trust in God’s promises with unwavering faith. Carry the glory of His presence into the world through daily acts of love and service.