DAILY- HOMILY

MARCH 4, 2012
2ND SUNDAY OF LENT – B

Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18 / Rom 8:31b-34 / Mk 9:2-10

GENESIS 22:1-2, 9A, 10-13, 15-18
Sometime later God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he
answered, "Here I am." Then God said, "Take your son, your only son,
Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there
as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I shall point out to you."
When Abraham had built the altar and set the wood on it, he bound his
son Isaac and laid him on the wood placed on the altar. He then
stretched out his hand to seize the knife and slay his son. But the
Angel of Yahweh called to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" And he
said, "Here I am." "Do not lay your hand on the boy; do not harm him,
for now I know that you fear God, and you have not held back from me
your only son." Abraham looked around and saw behind him a ram caught
by its horns in a bush. He offered it as a burnt offering in place of
his son. And the Angel of Yahweh called from heaven a second time, "By
myself I have sworn, it is Yahweh who speaks, because you have done
this and not held back your son, your only son, I will surely bless
you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and
the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the
lands of their enemies. All the nations of the earth will be blessed
through your descendants because you have obeyed me."

ROMANS 8:31B-34
What shall we say after this? If God is with us, who shall be against
us? If he did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how
will he not give us all things with him? Who shall accuse those chosen
by God: he takes away their guilt. Who will dare to condemn them?
Christ who died, and better still, rose and is seated at the right
hand of God, interceding for us?

MARK 9:2-10
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led
them up a high mountain. There his appearance was changed before their
eyes. Even his clothes shone, becoming as white as no bleach of this
world could make them. Elijah and Moses appeared to them; the two were
talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke and said to Jesus, "Master, it is
good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for
Moses, and one for Elijah." For he did not know what to say: they were
overcome with awe. But a cloud formed, covering them in a shadow, and
from the cloud came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to
him." And suddenly, as they looked around, they no longer saw anyone
except Jesus with them. As they came down the mountain, he ordered
them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen
from the dead. So they kept this to themselves, although they
discussed with one another what `to rise from the dead' could mean.

REFLECTION
Jesus knows that he will suffer and die on the cross, and that the
Father will raise him up three days after. In the first half of the
gospel of Mark, we could see that Jesus spoke three times of his
suffering, death, and rising after three days, but the disciples
failed to understand this. Scandalized, they could not accept that the
Messiah must suffer and die in humiliation to save humanity. Peter
even scolded Jesus when he spoke of his impending death on the cross
(Mark 8:32).

Jesus then decided to reveal to them what life is after the cross. He
brought Peter, James, and John to the mountain to experience what's
ahead of those who faithfully carry their crosses: a glimpse of
resurrection via transfiguration. Unfortunately, the one and only way
to resurrection is the way of the cross.

When they reached the mountain and Jesus started praying to the
Father, his clothes became dazzling white! Elijah and Moses appeared
and the disciples heard the words of a proud Father, "This is my
beloved Son, LISTEN TO HIM." The words of the Father are actually the
synthesis of the life of Jesus – listening to and obeying the Father.

Jesus is like us in all things except sin. He knows fear, anger, being
abandoned, betrayed by friends, insulted by many, and misunderstood by
his disciples and family. During those moments where Jesus could
already sense his impending suffering and death, he needed to come to
the Father and listen without any reservation. He knows that the
Father is the only one who can give him strength and courage.

Unfortunately, the disciples misunderstood the transfiguration
experience. The disciples were thrilled with the transfiguration's
triumphant mood. Peter even said, "Let us make tents here!" They just
wanted to stay in the mountain in the company of Moses and Elijah.
They did not want to go to Jerusalem. They were reluctant to carry
their daily crosses as Jesus commanded them.

During Lent, we love praying the Way of the Cross, but we don't want
to live it. Sometimes we are tempted to say, "Lord, can we skip the
Good Friday and go straight to Easter?" But life is not like that.
There's no genuine Easter celebration without faithfully undergoing
our Good Fridays. Reality bites. We can't run away from our daily
trials. The more we run away from our cross, it becomes heavier. But
when we embrace it, it becomes lighter! That's the irony of the cross.
Stand up for Jesus. Carry your cross. It's your "grace-filled"
opportunity to share in Jesus' Paschal mystery.

Transfiguration is a glimpse of what's ahead of us to encourage us to
hold on and faithfully carry our daily trials and crosses in life.
Follow the footsteps of Jesus. Faithfully go to your mountain (prayer
time) and LISTEN TO THE FATHER. Those who earnestly seek God in prayer
will never be disappointed. God will give them courage, strength, and
hope to face their crosses – that's transfiguration!

This Lenten Season, don't just pray the Way of the Cross. Live it!
Victory awaits ahead of us.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Tung-Jou Sheh
- Renan Lacida
- Mon Torres
- Rakkie Villa
- Tonie Lingad
- Dr. Rowena Lacida-Yap
- Renan Lacida
- Chief Samrose Anyaugo
… for the personal intentions of
- Pauline
- Dr. Ugo Anyaugo, Mr. Ogechi Anyaugo, Barr Obinna Okoronkwo, Barr Mrs
Barbs Adaugo Okoronkwo, Mr .Ify Mathias Anyaugo, Mr Chuboy Anyaugo,
Kelechi Ozurumba Cordelia Anyaugo
- Ising Gonzales
- Fred de Leon
… Birthday: Nelson Billanes
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Jose Victor "Vic" V. Olaguera
- Rolando C. Sambile
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them.
May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Arturo M. Marin
- Birthday: Carl Angelo P. Revilla
- Birthday: Deandra Go-Tan
- Wedding Anniversary: Tomo & Corky Bate
- In Memoriam (+): Benito S. Cua (Nov 5, 1935 - Mar 4, 2003)+
- In Memoriam (+): Celso L. Reyes
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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