Second Sunday of Lent Endless Journeys of God …… Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Phil 3:17—4:1
Luke 9:28b-36Dear Sisters, Brothers and Children, we gather on the Lord’s Day to praise, glorify and renew our Covenantal relationship with Him. We witness and re-live the journeys of God in the world, in the Church and in our communities. The liturgy of today challenges our journey in this season of Lent, so that we may continue to follow His milestone.
Mrs. Janet asked me last week, Father, I regularly follow a Television program, and a radio program called coast to coast, where I was told that the new pope will be last one according to Petrus Romanus Prophecy, from the time of St. Celestine the 112th Pope will carry name of St. Peter, as the first pope is St. Peter the last Pope will be Peter, then there will be destruction of Rome, and apocalypse will take place. This was foretold by St. Malachy, Rev13:13-17, 900years old prophecy? So is it going to be end journey of Church, end journey of the world and end journey of humanity?
My answer was, no one can end the journey of Church, no one has the power to destroy the world and even our life journey continues in heaven. So it is an eternal and endless journey.
Our life, our call and our faith is a journey; it is an endless journey of promises and blessings.
We say this is the end and get struck because we are not ready, not prepared and not willing to continue and carry on our journey. This happens in sickness, in pain and in despair.
In the first reading, Abram was in his late 80’s as well as his wife Sarai. They faced the stigma of being barren; they must be in despair not wanting to move out of their place. Here Lord of Yahweh calls him and assures blessings and promises. The blessings are to have descendants like the stars in the sky, it means symbolically uncountable, numerous and unending generation will continue. It is true; Jesus says to Zacharias you are son of Abraham. The promise refers to owning the Land for the generation. Having lot of descendants and owning the land were measured as sign of wealth, richness and God’s man in that time. To sustain the blessings and promises, God tells Abram, to get up and leave and continue his journey to the unknown place.
In the gospel about transfiguration narrative, Peter tells Jesus, can I make three tents so that we can stay here. Jesus confirms that he should continue His journey to Jerusalem. Here Mountain and cloud symbolizes the presence of God, Moses signifies the blessings of the Lord received in the precepts. Elijah represents the covenantal promise. They were hesitant in their own their journey but God who called them assisted and accompanied them with blessings and promises. James, John and Peter were not willing to walk with Jesus to Jerusalem. Jesus needs to offer this experience of transfiguration for His disciples. Through this he challenges them. He also offers the example of Moses and Elijah who continued their journey after the struggle.
History of Israel is the Journey from Slavery to freedom counting the blessings and living the promises of the lord. Moses, prophets and leaders had their own struggle facing the kings and building the people but they continued their journey with the blessings and promises.
Malala Yousafzai 15year old Pakistani girl, who was shot by Taliban Terrorist group for expresseing her view on girls’ right to education. After a long recovery, Malala did not say I am scared, I don’t want to speak anything or it is the end of my effort and journey. Rather, she said, she would continue to advocate and speak the right for every girl and child to be educated. It is through your prayers and the talents of the doctors God gave me new and second life, so there is no end in my journey, my mission will continue, I will serve, I will voice out and I want every girl child to realize the right to study. Let her journey be successful.
How is our Journey in the season of Lent?
How is our faith journey? How is our missionary journey?
Do we hesitate and stop our involvement in the Church, if we are discouraged or continue?
Do we stop relating with persons when we are hurt or do we continue relating to them?
Do I wish to end my studies due to failures or do I continue to persuade?
Do I decide not to make efforts or do I keep journey going?
We shall count the blessings and explore the promises of God to each one us, then our journey will be an endless one-Amen.
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