Had some technical problems and was unable to post for a few days.
As we celebrate the Second Sunday of Lent we are more than 1/4 of the way to Easter. Last week the Sunday gospel had us look at the form temptation takes in our lives. On the Second Sunday of Lent we always read the story of the transfiguration. In the context of Lent, the gospel underscores the importance of change.
Lent is about doing penance in reparation for our sin but it is also about conversion, turning our lives more perfectly towards God. The story of Abraham in the first reading reminds us that conversion always involves sacrifice.
In the gospel we hear Jesus beginning to prepare the disciples for his death and resurrection. But one again, there must be a death first before the resurrection. Too often we want the resurrection without the death. We want to be part of the kingdom but without the sacrifice.
This week would be a great time to look at our lives and identify where sacrifice fits into our life. On a purely monetary level does my giving to Church really qualify as sacrificial giving or does God get some of the left over.
On a more personal level, what parts of me needs to die? Is it your critical/judgmental spirit that needs to die? Is it your gossipy nature that needs to die? We all have something about us that needs to go, some attitude, some prejudice, some way of behaving, some belief that is not truly Christian. These things need to die so that we can rise.
These week it is time to recover the concept of sacrifice.
