Today we have the familiar story of God putting Abraham to the test. If God were to put us to the test today, what would be the greatest challenge we would face? What are our greatest weaknesses and are we struggling with them or just “giving in”? Do I believe, “even when I am greatly afflicted”? Do we ask God for help in our weaknesses or figure we can do it alone? Do we seek company and advice or figure we don’t need anyone’s help? I have heard it said that to really stick with an exercise it is often best to team up with someone. Someone who can support us and whom we can support. As we go through Lent we may need to team up with others as a community so as to support each other. Do we stop to think, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Have you ever been caught off guard when you were surprised by someone or something where you “hardly knew what to say”? Today’s Gospel refers to the disciple’s experience of Jesus being transfigured before them. One can imagine it was a dramatic moment that left them with a certain degree of shock. How many of us have had that shock when we heard someone we love just received notice from their doctor that their condition was “terminal”?
What can we really say? During Lent, we realize Jesus is like Isaac yet with the distinction that Jesus knew he was “terminal”. Jesus once said, “as you do to others you did to me.” We may not be able to comfort Jesus as he journeyed but we may be able to comfort others. As we continue forward during our Lenten journey, perhaps it is appropriate that we reach out to those around us, as we would to Jesus.
Countenance of God 