Reflection for Sunday – March 16, 2025

Deirdre McKiernan HetzlerSunday Readings Homilies

Readings: Genesis 15:5-12 17-18; Phil 3:17-4:1; Lk 9:28b-36 
Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler

Happy Lent! What? Whoa! Whoever puts “happy” in the same breath with Lent? Growing up, the emphasis seemed so negative. Yes, we are sinners, and repentance is an essential part of our Lenten journey. But…

What if we thought of Lent as a time of courtship? A chance to know more deeply the One who loves us unconditionally. A time of growing in a relationship. And living more fully in the boundless love poured out on us. The love that enables our growth and repentance. A time to turn our whole selves over to the One who can heal and save us.

It seems to me that all of our readings today speak to our relationship with God.

In the excerpt from the Book of Genesis, God asks Abram to look up at the sky and count the stars as a sign, numbering his promised descendants. Except it’s daylight at the time! God credits Abram’s belief—in an as yet invisible sign— as an act of faithful loyalty. And God enters into a covenant — a special relationship — with him. As part of Abram’s spiritual descendants, we are thus recipients of this blessing.

Paul encourages the community in Phillippi (and us) to look to Christ as the source of power to become whom they (and we) are called to be. A relationship that will transform us more fully into Christ. As a result, Paul says, our citizenship is not here. Though Baptism, we are called to be in the world in a unique way.  In it, but not of it. To live increasingly by the values of Jesus: love, forgiveness, healing, generosity, solidarity,

The Transfiguration story gives us a glimpse of divine glory. A Word from God. A life-changing experience for Jesus and his friends. An affirmation of Jesus. And a command for all of his disciples: “Listen to him!”

As in Matthew and Mark, this story always appears after the first prediction of the Passion. Peter, James, John accompanied Jesus, who had gone up the mountain to pray. (A mountain in Scripture is always a symbol of important revelation.) That the prophets are talking to Jesus about his “exodus” links the Jews’ liberation from Egypt and slavery to God’s saving plan of Christians’ delivery from sin.

At his baptism, God’s words were addressed to Jesus. Here, they are spoken to the disciples, including us. A command. “Listen to him!” A command requiring an obedient response.

Enlightening as the Transfiguration event is, it changes nothing of challenges and difficulties to come-for them. And for us.

I think we can all agree that we are in the middle of a very challenging time, in our country and in our world. Our worries and concerns seem to grow every week. All of these things matter. But we can live differently because Christ is transforming us. Even as we pray for our community and world, and seek its welfare. Aware of God’s presence. Aware of moments of transformation.

Sometimes it just takes stopping, noticing and articulating those God-moments. Simple ones, in the ordinary dailiness all around us. The woman who offers you a seat on the bus. The children laughing on the playground. The neighbor calling to check in.

Others are profound. People of all political persuasions working together to heal a community after a disaster. Caring for those suffering from poverty. Folks resisting unjust policies. Others working to restore laws protecting marginalized folks. If our faith really matters, then it will really change us. And if it doesn’t change us, then does our faith really matter?

In last Sunday’s homily, Margot said, “When hate, cruelty and fear seem ascendant, when rageful name-calling is coming from all sides —who am I called to be? We who bear the name ‘Christian’ are called to be shining beacons of God’s light and love for this world.” Made possible because our relationship with Christ is transforming us.

The Transfiguration gives glimpse of the future glory of Easter but reminds us the way to Easter is through the cross.

Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler
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