First Reading: Genesis 15:5-12.17-18 / Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1.7-8b.8c-9abc.13-14 (R. 1a) Second Reading: Philippians 3:17-4:1/Gospel Accl: Matthew 4:4b/Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36
Theme: No Cross, No Crown
A story is told of a group of people who went on a pilgrimage. They were told to pick wooden planks according to each one’s ability and strength. Some picked light-weight ones, while others carried what their strength could carry. On their way, they came across a narrow stream no one could cross. So, each was told to use their plank as a bridge to cross the stream; no one was to use another person’s plank. Obviously, some could not cross the stream because their planks were either too short to reach the other end of the narrow stream or too thin to carry each person’s body weight. Consequently, some pilgrims were left behind the shores of the stream. Each of us has crosses that are as different as we are. Today’s readings will show us how we can carry them.
Life is full of crosses. Examples include suffering, pain, bitter hatred, sicknesses, temptations and difficulties. However, as believers, our crosses will end in crowns, blessings and eternal life if we align them with that of Christ and trust in his power to protect and restore life in abundance. In the first reading, Abraham teaches us that we need to believe in God for he is faithful and caring. In this regard, Abraham puts all his trust in God akin to placing all of one’s eggs in one basket! He had the courage to do so against the background of uncertainties, detachment from his family and seeming ‘failure’ in the eyes of people. Yet, this is the condition and disposition which bring God’s promises and their fulfilment in our lives and situations. He simply hoped against all hope.
God asks Abraham to look towards heaven, to see whether he could count the stars; that, since they are uncountable, going by the divine promise, so also shall his descendants be numerous (cf. Gen. 15:6ff). Abraham’s staunch belief reckons him as a righteous man, and God ratifies his covenant with him with a fitting promise saying: “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates” (cf. Gen. 15:7). Be that as it may, it was not so easy for Abraham to go through such experiences of long-suffering. In spite of this, he believed and for this, he patiently endured and fought till the end. Not even detachment from his immediate family could stop Abraham. Winners, they say, never quit and quitters never win!
Like the Psalmist, our faith and trust in God should never be shaky, but persevering. When the going gets tough, we need to pray earnestly like the psalmist did: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; whom should I dread? (Ps. 27:1). God is on our side, a caring and loving God, and it is not in his character to abandon us! That is why in the second reading, St. Paul tells us that if we stand firm in Christ, we will be crowned with glory. He says: “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears walk as enemies of the cross of Christ” (Phil. 3:18). About such people, Paul continues: “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things” (Phil. 3:19). Many biblical scholars are unanimous and hold that, Paul was referring to gluttonous, adulterous and immoral lifestyle; those who take advantage of Christianity to indulge their passions; those who rationalise sin and evil, believing that the grace of God would excuse them. Indeed, if there was no motivation or incentive for upright living, God would not have given us the Ten Commandments and the beatitudes to follow!
Today in our world, there are those who go by the name “Christian” but whose conduct is an open scandal. Anything which will bring a bit of redemptive suffering is rejected and substituted for a cross-less, fast-track, short-cut, all-joy-no-suffering and make-me-feel-good lifestyle. We cannot use Christianity as a licence to do whatever we like, for doing so becomes anti-Christian! Likewise, we should not take God’s love and forgiveness for granted. It is true God is merciful but it is equally true that God is just too! That is why we are always reminded whenever we say the Christian Creed: He will come again to judge the living and the dead. So, how would we fare in the presence of our King and Judge? What would be Jesus’ verdict about our lives on earth?
Be that as it may, for those who embrace the cross of suffering for the sake of Christ and the Gospel, we are told that Christ will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body (cf. Phil. 3:21). Thus, dying with Christ entails dying to self and destruction of our selfishness, and by so doing, we shall be rewarded. The way to the cross is the way to life, and that is the only way our Lord and Master Jesus went and became victorious even over death. While the opportunity lasts, we still have to cling to the Old Rugged Cross so we can exchange it someday for a crown!
How are we to do this? In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us that we should seek the will of God in prayer, and we shall have the strength to carry our crosses. Pope Francis commenting on the Transfiguration says: “The luminosity that characterised this extraordinary event symbolised the purpose: to illumine the minds and hearts of the disciples, so that they could understand clearly who their master was…Jesus wished to prepare his own for this scandal – the scandal of the cross –, for this scandal is too strong for their faith and, at the same time, announce ahead of time his Resurrection, manifesting himself as the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus transfigured on Mount Tabor wished to show his disciples his glory not to avoid their passing through the cross, but to indicate where the cross leads to. One who dies with Christ, will rise with Christ. And the cross is the door of the Resurrection.” Like Peter, John and James, let us walk with Christ in prayer and be ready to listen to him (cf. Lk. 9:28, 35). Beloved in Christ, Lent offers us the opportunity to look at ourselves interiorly and again, to tell ourselves the truth, to face this truth with openness and a willing spirit to accommodate needed changes. We need to see sin as sin and make reparations. Sometimes, facing and seeing the true self is scary and uncomfortable. Nonetheless, we need not be afraid for God is our light and salvation. He will lighten our way with his divine dazzling light, making us transfigured in glory, grace and peace. May God put into our hearts the deep longing for him as we take up our crosses daily to follow him to Calvary (cf. Lk. 9:23). Happy Lent! Remember: #No-Cross-No-Crown#
