Lesson from Fr. Paulus | Everything Hinges on Faith in Christ

Lent is about a week and a half underway, and readings on second Sunday of Lent remind us that everything we're commemorating during this season hinges on faith in Christ. He reveals to us the meaning of Lent, and he wants to be our light.

The First Reading from Genesis 12:1-4a reminds us that Abraham, our father in faith, set out based on a promise that was fulfilled through Christ.

Abram was promised to be the father of a great nation and a blessing to all nations. His name was destined to become renowned, and so it became.

He didn't receive many instructions, just to leave his kinsmen and set out. In the Letter to the Hebrews Abraham is described as our father in faith (cf. Catechism 145-146): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go" (Hebrews 11:8).

The Second Reading, 2 Timothy 1:8b-10, St. Paul reminds us that Christ was always at the center of our Heavenly Father's plans, even before we became aware of it. In Christ, everything is revealed.

Abraham died in faith, but never saw the promise completely fulfilled. When facing hardship we are consoled by considering when it will end.

For a Christian the cynical expression "life is hard, then you die" holds no weight. Christ has revealed that "life is hard, and then you live happily ever after" if you have faith in him.

Through the Gospel of Matthew (17:1-9), the Lord's closest disciples receive a glimpse of his divinity and glory on the mountaintop to strengthen them for the trials to come. They see what the fulfillment of the Lord's promises will look like.

The Lord only took Peter, James, and John. They were his closest disciples and had the most need of encouragement. Peter would be entrusted with Christ's flock in a special way. James would be the first apostle martyred. John would write some of the most sublime words of Sacred Scripture.

Our Lord's face and clothes became as light. His face, like sunlight, represents his person and, at this moment, his divinity. Moses and Elijah converse with Jesus. Our Lord is at the center. The Law (represented by Moses) and the Prophets (represented by Elijah) point to him.

If a transfigured Christ flanked by the greatest exponents of the Law and the Prophets is not enough, a theophany occurs as well: God the Father identifies Jesus as his son, and how pleased he is with him.

If Peter, James, and John had not believed in Christ, they wouldn't even be on this mountain. Their faith necessitated a glimpse of the promise that would prepare them for the trials and tragedy to come