Sermons
First reading: Genesis 22:1-2;9-13,15-18 Second reading: Rom 8:31-34 Gospel: Mark 9:2-10
Today is the second Sunday of Lent. In the holy season of Lent we are invited to take some time to evaluate our set of values, our conducts, our behaviors and attitudes. It is a season that helps us to re-examine our lives. An ancient Greek philosopher Socrates says ‘an unexamined life is not worth living’ ( Plato’s Apology, 38a5-6). If the season of Lent is a time of examination of our lives, it implies that a life without Lent is not worth living. So we need this holy season to live a worthy life. The readings of this second Sunday of Lent provide us with three important metaphors to guide the re-examination of our lives.
- Being tested
- The mounting
- The event of transfiguration.
Read more: Tested and Trusted! (homily of the 2nd Sunday of Lent 2024
Today's gospel continues the section we heard last Sunday, that is, Jesus' comment on the Ten Commandments: Do not kill. Of course not, but not killing one another does not suffice to make people live "in the Kingdom of heaven". Rather, do never cultivate bitter and hateful feelings against each other. Then Do not commit adultery. But obviously, refraining from adultery does not yet make a family flourish; mutual care and attention are required to build up love and lasting togetherness. Do not swear a false oath. Certainly, but that is merely the utter limit. Honesty and truthfulness have to dominate in all situations, always and towards everyone. Jesus insists, it is not enough to stare at these Commandments, to cling thoughtlessly to the words without considering what they really mean.
Today Jesus adds further examples of the Law of Moses that need a better understanding than the mere words suggest.
Ten were healed, one returns to say thank you. Jesus is astonished: Where are the other nine? Those nine were Jewish nationals, local people, the grateful one was an immigrant from Samaria, a stranger. He wants to thank Jesus, who then says to him: Your faith has saved you. - What faith? How can we describe his faith? He had heard of Jesus as a great healer, and now he puts his trust in him, goes to him, to be close to him. He wanted to be with him.