Second Sunday of Lent - Gen 12:1-4a; 2 Tim 1:8b-10; Mt 17:1-9

03-01-2026Weekly ReflectionThe Faithful Disciple

GROW: What struck me when I first read this passage from the Book of Genesis, in which the Lord speaks to Abraham, is God’s proclamation that it is through his will and his work that the blessings and goodness of Abraham’s future will come about. It is not a vague statement, in which the subject is omitted. God clearly says, “I will make your name great.” Abraham was a faithful servant of God and sought to obey God’s will, but that is not what made his name memorable. It is due to God’s will and generosity that Abraham’s blessings came about.

I sometimes struggle with giving up credit for the good things in my life. I want to believe that my work, my talents, and my dedication have brought about these good things. But the reality is that all of who I am and the skills that I have is a gift. I was created by God and formed by others to hone certain dispositions and talents that have led to my accomplishments. When we come to realize that all we have is a gift, we are able to offer our lives back to be transfigured and glorified by God, who creates and gives all things.

GO: Many scholars identify this moment of the Transfiguration as the climax of the narrative arc of the Gospels, after which Christ’s actions lead to his suffering and death. In his passion, Christ demonstrates the ultimate submission to the will of God, taking on the weight of human sin in order to redeem us. In this moment of Transfiguration on the mountain, we glimpse the beauty of the glorification that will result from this perfect obedience to God’s will. We, too, are called to surrender ourselves fully to God. Following Jesus’ model of humble submission to the Father’s will does not involve false humility, in which we are self-deprecating or overly critical of ourselves. Instead, we are called to acknowledge and celebrate our gifts and accomplishments, while also recognizing that who we are and the gifts that we have come from our generous and loving God.

REFLECT: Reflect on the gifts and talents you have been given, as well as the accomplishments that have come about because of these gifts. Take a moment to thank God for all that he has given to you, and ask him to reveal how you can be a witness to his goodness through the prudent use and celebration of these gifts.