2ND SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR B)

 

1st Reading         Gen. 22: 1-2. 9a. 10-13. 15-18.

Psalm                    116: 10 and 15. 16-17. 18-19 (R. 9).

2nd Reading       Romans 8:31b-34

Gospel                  Mark 9: 2-10

CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN AND OFFER THE BURNT SACRIFICE

We continue to reflect on our lives in this penitential season of Lent. Today, we focus on one of the key elements in this season — PRAYER. 

The first reading has the infamous story of Abraham being tested by God (Gen. 22: 1) to offer Isaac as a burnt offering to him. The passage is quite challenging because this is the first time in Scripture that God is demanding human life as a sacrifice. The question is, "How can God who created man in his image and after his likeness" (Gen. 1: 26-27) and even raised him to a dignity that mankind is considered the highest of all God's creation, making him a little lower than the angels (Ps. 8:6), make such a heavy demand? This troubling question is itself answered when Isaac is not offered and a ram is used (Gen. 22: 13-14). 

That is not the only trouble. God demanded the son whom Abraham loved (Gen. 22: 2). We know that Isaac is not Abraham's first son in the biological order. There is Ishmael. However, Isaac becomes the first son of Abraham as long as the promise is considered. There is a trend in the Old Testament called the "younger-son motif." In this trend, the love of the father is directed toward the youngest son. It is the youngest son who surprisingly becomes the heir, and he is most loved by the father. To sacrifice this son will be troubling because there will not be an heir, neither will there be one whom Abraham can love and show affection. 

As if that is not all, the Son is described as the "only Son" (Gen. 22: 2). Isaac is the only son by his legal wife, Sarah. Isaac will inherit him. Offering him as a "burnt offering" ('olah) will mean no one to inherit Abraham. This is the only person, by virtue of the promise, who can inherit him. "Does that mean that if Abraham sacrificed Isaac, his generation will no longer exist?" This a vital question Abraham may have asked. In fact, for a Jew, three things are considered signs of material wealth — animals, land, and a Son. Abraham was to sacrifice the Son. He was literally going to lose a very vital property. He was asked to take his son, not his bullocks or his lambs. This is worrying. 

Despite these troubles, Abraham, without questioning or grumbling, moved in order to sacrifice Isaac in the land of Moriah. The place pointed for the sacrifice is very significant for us to reflect on.

Let us focus on a very significant element. The first reading mentions "mountain" (Heb. *הר—HAR) in the land of Moriah. It is there that the burnt offering will be done. Similarly, Jesus took James and John up a "mountain" (Grk. ὄρος— oros) (Mark 9: 2), identified as Mount Tabor.

There is something worth considering about mountain. In 2 Chronicles 3:1, Solomon constructed the Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. What we know about the Temple is that it is a place of prayer. Aside from that, it is the place where sacrifice is performed, particularly burnt offerings. What is described as a burnt offering entails the wholeness or the fullness of the animal, not a portion of it. In this same Moriah, Abraham was going to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. 

In fact, in Jerusalem, unblemished lambs are offered as burnt sacrifices to God. Unblemished lambs are without stains or spots. They are the best and usually the most loved among the animals. Abraham was to offer the son "whom he loved, thus Isaac. The situation is about giving away the best, what is most cherished, and valued to God.

The phenomenon at play is prayer. To offer a burnt offering is a signification of a moment of prayer. On the whole, it is worship that is asked of Abraham. The implicit question God would have been asking is: "Will you still worship me in times when all seem to be well? Or will you continue to worship me if it means losing what you most value?" Abraham's readiness to offer Isaac is Abraham's "yes" to such questions. In Lent, there is that which we have to offer to God. It is usually the best thing. God is demanding that one thing, not two, not any other. You can give it up to him. The best way to give it up and answer the question of whether you will continue to worship God is through prayer. In Lent, pray more and offer your best times. Among the troubles of life, offer the best trouble in prayer as a burnt offering to God.

Finally, the situation is not only about offering a burnt sacrifice, thus giving the best in prayer. It concerns the manoeuvring of the difficult hurdles, hurdles that prevent us from praying. It may not be an easy one for Abraham to climb the mountain to offer Isaac. We can be clouded in difficult situations of life such that we think that the die is cast and nothing else can work. In Lent, a little effort to pray, to climb the mountain, and to offer a burnt offering is enough. You do not know what lies at the top of the mountain. Just climb it and pray; climb and offer the sacrifice. 

In the final analysis, we are sure that in Prayer, we are transfigured, and God shows his face to us. In this Lent, endeavour to climb the mountain and offer a burnt sacrifice. 

Pax et Bonum