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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings, March 8, 2009
By Jean Denton
Catholic News Service
March 8, Second Sunday of Lent
Cycle B Readings:
1) Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Psalm 116:10, 15-19
2) Romans 8:31b-34
Gospel: Mark 9:2-10
The boy -- we'll call him Jon -- was 12, the second son in a large, impoverished family trying to survive in a war-torn city. The family seemed to have only a pinpoint of possibility for a better life, and that would be to escape the situation. Get to the United States where there was at least a glimmer of hope.
Jon didn't know how, but his father managed to scrape together documents and enough money to get one family member out of the country. And Jon was it. His older brother was needed to help provide for the rest of the family at home, while Jon, then on the brink of manhood, was smart, strong and had much promise.
A group of families from their village planned the trek across the ocean, and Jon would travel with them, his father told him.
"I didn't want to go. I didn't want to leave my family, and I didn't know any of the people in the group," Jon recalled later. On the day of departure he hung back, sad and afraid. "But my father said, 'You have to go. You are our only hope for a better life.'"
Jon went. The trip was long, hard and lonely, and when he arrived in the U.S., he was met by distant relatives with whom he would live. He went to school and worked with great industriousness and managed to grow up, mostly on his own. As he became self-sufficient he sent money to his family and after many years was able to bring most of his siblings to this country. Now, two short generations later, the family is increasing and thriving as a significant contributor to its American community.
Jon's father's hope was indeed realized.
Like Abraham in this Lenten weekend's first reading, Jon's father put complete trust in God, even giving up his own son, believing God would provide something greater for generations to come. For a loving father to sacrifice a child calls for such infinite trust.
In the transfiguration of the Gospel our loving God offers us that glimmer of "a better life" and calls us to trust him.
QUESTIONS:
When have you needed to search for a glimmer of hope? What "transfiguration moments" of clarity have reminded you of God's promise of his better, lasting life?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"I believed even when I said, 'I am greatly afflicted.' ... To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call on the name of the Lord." (Psalm 116:10, 17)
END
Copyright © 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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