God Is For Us

God justifies His elect.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 2nd Sunday of Lent B, February 25th, 2024
Texts: Genesis 22:1-2,9-13,15-18; Psalm 116:10,15-19; Romans 8:31-34; Mark 9:2-10 

Today is second Sunday of Lent and on this day the good news is that God is for us. Hence, St. Paul asks, “If God is for us, who is against us?” What St. Paul emphasises, here, is the assurance of eternal glory that awaits us. It is this glory that God reveals to us in the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

It is the glory that no eye has seen and no mind has conceived but revealed to us in the spirit. St. Mark affirms this when says, “his garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them.” That no fuller on earth could bleach them means such an appearance cannot be found on earth. It is what eye has not seen and no mind has conceived.  

 What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived

St. Paul says, “But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him' – these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God" (1 Cor. 2:9). Peter, James and John were in the spirit as they witnessed the event of Transfiguration. It is no longer a surprise that they knew the two men were Moses and Elijah.  

How are we sure that we shall possess the eternal glory? We know this by the love God has shown us in giving us His Son to die for our sake. Hence, St. Paul says, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him?” He who has given us his Son will not fail to give any good, the eternal glory.  

Today’s first reading shows that God acknowledges as proof of love and devotion the giving up of one’s son. He said to Abraham thus: “for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." God has proved His love and willingness to give us any good by giving us His only-begotten Son. Nothing is more difficult to give than what He has already given us.  

God justifies His elect

We are also sure of the eternal glory because God justifies His elect. Anyone who brings charge against us, does so in vain. Furthermore, our Judge is also our Saviour and Advocate. St. Paul puts it thus: “Who is to condemn? Is it Christ  Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us?” 

We see also in today’s gospel reading that the ram offered in place of Isaac foreshadowed Jesus Christ. This is clear in the presence of Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration of our Lord. Their presence signifies that Jesus fulfils the Law and the prophets. Genesis, where we take today’s first reading, is a book of the Law.  

Prayer 

O God, who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son, be pleased, we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word, that, with spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice to behold your glory. Amen (Collect)     

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke