Scripture Study for
Second Sunday of Lent
Genesis 12:1–4a / Psalm 33:22 / 2 Timothy 1:8b–10 / Matthew 17:1–9
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Understanding the Word
By Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.
The reading from Genesis expressly states that Abram is directed by God to travel from the land of his kinsfolk to one that is foreign to him. God then promises a fivefold blessing: Abram will be a great nation; he will be blessed; his name will be great; those who bless him will be blessed; those who curse him will be cursed. The directives from God require profound faith on Abram’s part. They determine his identity (his past), his place in society (his present), and his legacy (his future). God is asking him to start anew. No questions are asked, no long period of preparation is suggested. God directs and Abram responds.
Paul exhorts his disciple Timothy to suffer with him the misfortunes that come from fidelity to the gospel and accompany righteous living. The Christian hymn that follows outlines what God has done for us and what Christ has done on our behalf. There is no question in Paul’s mind that the wondrous blessings are all God’s doing. Neither salvation nor the call to holiness is the fruit of any deed that we might have performed. They are not rewards for good behavior; they come to us freely out of the goodness of God.
Jesus is transformed before Peter, James, and John, the apparent inner circle of the apostles. Most scholars maintain that this account is not a vision of the future glorification of Jesus but an insight into the identity that was his during his public life. Jesus converses with Moses and Elijah, the representatives of the law and the prophets. Jesus’ teaching is authenticated by the words that are spoken from the cloud: “listen to him” (Matthew 17:5). The apostles want to prolong Jesus’ transfiguration. Jesus will not hear of it. Then, identifying himself as the mysterious Son of Man, he directs the three to remain silent about this experience until after his resurrection.