February 25, 2018

Gospel: Mk 9:2-10
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain. There, his appearance was changed before their eyes. Even his clothes shone, becoming as white as no bleach of this world could make them. Elijah and Moses appeared to them; the two were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke and said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say: they were overcome with awe. But a
cloud formed, covering them in a shadow, and from the cloud came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved: listen to him!” And suddenly, as they looked around, they no longer saw anyone except Jesus with them. As they came down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept this to themselves, although they discussed with one another what ‘to rise from the dead’ could mean.

Lectio Divina
Read: We are presented with the classic stories of “Akedah” (the sacrifice of Isaac) on Mount Moriah and the transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor. Both the stories deal with the theme of “son.” Paul invites us to reflect on the depths of God’s love that seeks to make us all his beloved children through his Son, Jesus.
Reflect: Did God really ask Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac? Most probably He didn’t. For the god who asks Abraham to offer up his only son is the Canaanite god – the narrative uses the word Elohim for this pantheon of gods. But the god who intervenes and prevents the sacrifice is Yahweh, the One True God. In all likelihood, Abraham, who lived among the Canaanites and was familiar with their practice of offering up children to their gods, might have been convinced that he also must do so even if Isaac was the child of the promise. Such was his trust in and love of God, which might have gladdened the One True
God who saw the reflection of His own heart in Abraham – a heart that would give up anything for the sake of love.
Pray: Thank you, Lord, for loving me to the point of giving up your own Son for me.
Act: Spend some 20 minutes listening to Christ, God’s beloved Son, talking to you of his Father’s love for you.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2018