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Reflection on this Sunday's scripture readings
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Genesis 12:1-4
Psalm 32
2 Timothy 1:8-10
Matthew 17:1-9
In this week's readings we hear of God's call and revelation in different situations. When God addresses Abraham in the Genesis reading he calls him to leave his own country and his family and go to a strange distant land. In spite of this apparent loss, God promises that Abraham would become the father of a great nation and that his name would be used as a blessing. Abraham's total obedience means that the promise can be fulfilled.
In the Gospel passage, Matthew describes a glorious revelation of God which took place towards the end of Jesus' ministry. Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain, often the locus of revelation. In the presence of Moses and Elijah, representing the law and the prophets, the apostles saw Jesus transfigured, shining dazzlingly bright. The three tents are symbolic of the temporary dwellings at the Jewish feast of Tabernacles and perhaps point to the event taking place at the time of the festival. One of the important aspects of the feast is scripture study and it was perhaps during a time of study that Peter had an insight into Jesus' identity as the Son of God.
In his letter to Timothy, Paul calls on him to bear the hardships which come with leadership by putting his trust in the risen Lord. God, he says, calls us to be holy and gives us the grace we need to overcome our difficulties.
When you read the story of Abraham today, can you identify with God's call in any way? Has God ever asked anything really difficult of you? Could you perhaps become a blessing through that call?
The gospel passage shows how Jesus and the disciples are rooted in Judaism and the Jewish scriptures. There are many references here to the Old Testament - the figures of Moses and Elijah, the significance of mountains, a cloud, the tent. Allow your mind to dwell on those images. Then allow yourself to see what the disciples saw and hear the words they heard.