Second Sunday of Lent
As we sojourn into the second week of this desert time called Lent, our Lord calls us to meditate upon His promises of truth to us. He knows that we as humans, in our weakness, are quick to forget the good things He has done for us. Oh, how much we take after our forefathers, the Israelite people, in the Old Testament, also in the desert! Their muttering and complaints of how God has abandoned them, often following soon after the Lord had just performed a miracle for them.
All through this Sunday’s Mass readings, His promises to us appear everywhere, of things He has done, and things He will do.
“I will make of you a great nation.”
“I will bless you.”
“I will make your name great.”
“I will bless those who bless you.”
“All His works are trustworthy.”
“He has saved us.”
In our personal lives, the Lord exhorts us to place our complete hope and trust in Him alone, and He will fulfill the desires of our hearts, providing every need we might have. In His humility, Jesus always initiates this contact. Just as in the Gospel, He approaches Peter, James, and John, and even touches them, before saying: “Rise, do and not be afraid.” So also, Jesus approaches us to echo the same sentiment this Sunday.
So, as we take a closer look at pruning the dead branches of our heart this Lent, let us do so with firm courage and great confidence. It might be painful to rid ourselves of some of the attachments we have to certain habits, patterns, things or even people, that are not conducive to our walk with Christ. Take sometime this week to journal, pray about, or call to mind the times (and I am confident there are countless), our Lord has shown up for you in times of trouble or distress. Also take some time to meditate on His promises to us, promises that will never change because He is faithful. He is waiting for you to call out to Him, to count on Him, or trust in Him. Let His transfiguration on the mount be a reminder that daily, He wishes to transform our hearts as well.