In today’s first reading God promised Abraham, a man who was already old and childless, a multitude of descendants. God also promised that he would give them a great expanse of land as their inheritance. As far fetched as all this seemed, Abraham put his faith in the Lord. And God credited his trust as righteousness. For his part God made promises, and for his part Abraham believed. This covenant relationship was so serious that it was sealed in the blood of five animals. Blood was seen as the source of life. It was the guarantee of the covenant. In his prayer trance Abraham witnesses a fire pot and flaming torch as a sign of God’s acceptance of the covenant sealed in blood.
In today's gospel the new covenant between God and man is presented to us in the fullness of its glory. Two great figures of the Old Testament, Moses the lawgiver and Elijah the prophet appeared with Jesus on the mountain of the Transfiguration. They were discussing his coming passion and death.
Peter spoke for the apostolic group and said, it is good for us to be here, let's build three tents and prolong this glorious experience. Like so many of us, Peter saw the glory of the Transfiguration but he did not see the cost. It would be difficult for the apostles to accept Jesus’ teachings about the cross in the days to come. Then the Father’s divine voice announced to the apostles that they should listen to his beloved Son.
Like the first covenant, this new covenant would be sealed in blood as well. But this time the sacrifice would not be animals but God's own Son. The glory of the resurrection foreseen in the transfiguration was purchased at the incredible price of Christ's suffering and death.
This second week of Lent is a good time for us to consider what we are doing to seal the covenant with God in our lives. Are we walking with Christ crucified? Or are we only willing to walk with the glorious Christ? Can we experience one without the other? Where is Christ suffering in our lives? What are we doing about it?