Daily Readings - Sun Feb 25 2018

¹After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."²He 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 of which I shall tell you."⁹When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.¹⁰Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.¹¹But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."¹²He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."¹³And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.¹⁵And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven¹⁶and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,¹⁷I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies,¹⁸and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice."

Romans

Chapter 8

³¹What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?³²He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?³³Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.³⁴Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Mark

Chapter 9

²And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,³and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.⁴And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.⁵And Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah."⁶For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.⁷And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him."⁸And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.⁹And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.¹⁰So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound themes of trust, faith, and the revelation of God’s love. In the first reading, we witness Abraham’s unwavering faith as he is tested by God. Called to sacrifice his only son Isaac, Abraham’s obedience, even in the face of unimaginable difficulty, demonstrates his deep trust in God’s plan. This story is not just a test of Abraham’s faith but also a foreshadowing of God’s ultimate sacrifice—His only Son, Jesus Christ. The context of this passage is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and Abraham, highlighting the importance of faithfulness and trust in divine providence. The second reading from Romans builds on this theme of trust and divine love. St. Paul reminds us that if God did not spare His own Son for our sake, He will surely give us all things. This passage reassures us of God’s unwavering support and love, even in the face of trials and tribulations. It invites us to place our trust in God, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love. The context here is one of encouragement, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith despite the challenges of life. The Gospel takes us to the mountain of the Transfiguration, where Jesus reveals His divine glory to Peter, James, and John. This moment is a revelation of Jesus’ true identity as the beloved Son of God, and it serves as a source of strength for the disciples as they prepare to face the trials of His Passion and death. The voice from the cloud reminds them—and us—to “listen to Him,” to trust in His words and His plan. The context of this passage is one of preparation, equipping the disciples (and us) to trust in Jesus even when the path ahead seems uncertain. These readings are deeply interconnected. Abraham’s trust in God prefigures the ultimate act of love in the sacrifice of Jesus. The Transfiguration reinforces the divine authority of Jesus, inviting us to place our trust in Him. Together, they remind us that faith is not about understanding everything but about trusting in God’s plan, even when it seems difficult or unclear. In our daily lives, these readings call us to reflect on where we place our trust. Do we trust in God’s plan, even when it seems challenging? Do we listen to Jesus, even when the path ahead is uncertain? Let us draw strength from these readings, remembering that God’s love for us is unwavering, and His plan for us is always one of life and hope. May we, like Abraham, trust in God’s providence, and may we, like the disciples, listen to Jesus and follow Him faithfully.