Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Lent C

A four year old spilled his cola on the rug and wanted to clean up the mess himself. So his mother told him that the mop was just outside the back door. Quickly, he ran to the door, but realized that it had become dark outside. Suddenly scared, he told his mother what the problem was. Assuring him, she told him that Jesus is everywhere, even in dark places, and that he should trust Jesus to protect him. This put a smile on his face! So, he opened the door just enough to poke his head outside and called out "Jesus, if you're out there, could you pass me the mop?"

My brothers and sisters, we are called to grow in our trust of God and have powerful examples in today’s readings about Abram and Jesus himself.

Our first reading today retells the story of the original covenant between God and Abram (Abraham). It is the founding moment of Israel’s relationship with God. It is really two stories of gifts from God woven into one: the promise of limitless descendants and the gift of land. The custom of the day was that if a man’s wife did not bear him a son, his chief servant (Eliezer) could inherit.

The author’s expression: “the word of the LORD came to ...” is later used to describe the prophets. Abram is clearly seen by the author as a prophet. Abram puts his trust in God’s promise; in this way, he establishes a right relationship (“righteousness”) with God.

Going between the two halves of sacrificial animals signified that if a party broke the agreement, he could expect to be dismembered. A truly graphic and, by our modern standards, barbaric way to enter a contract. However the level of commitment that is depicted is undeniable. God’s presence here is symbolized by fire. Interestingly, only God has obligations under the pact, so only God passes between the “pieces.”

In our second reading, Paul encourages the Philippians to “stand firm” in the Lord, i.e., keep their faith in the Lord strong. Paul has written: “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death.” He has not yet fully understood Christ, but he presses on towards the goal of being with Christ when he comes again. He makes the point; this is how “mature” Christians should think. Finally, he offers himself as an example of centering oneself in Christ, even in times of suffering. At the time Paul writes this he is in prison.

In the gospel story we just heard, Jesus is warned of a plot against his life. Not all the Pharisees were enemies of Jesus. His response to the threat is bold. But then he quickly turns to morning over the thought of dying in Jerusalem as did the prophets before him. If only the Holy City would accept the messengers of God who are sent to it.

Earlier, someone asked: “Will only a few be saved?” Jesus has warned that few who have eaten with him will enter the Kingdom; many apparently pious people will be excluded for just cause while others, from across the world, will be included. The point being that we must keep ourselves invested in God and the virtuous life we are called to live. Jesus’ own example of continuing his ministry and progress toward Jerusalem, despite the plots against him, is a powerful example. We are to invest the same trust and dedication in God.

Abraham's earlier example stands before us in the same manner. Trust in God, faith in God, or personal investment in God is virtuous and necessary. I have often explained it this way: Believing in God simply means that we accepted the existence of God without scientific proof. Faith is much more. Faith is trusting is God’s guidance about how we ought to live our lives and going forward in that way of life.

Let us go forward together; trusting God to guide us, inspire us and empower us for the mission we have been given.