2nd Sunday of Lent, Year A (2026)
2nd Sunday of Lent, Year A
Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 (22)
2 Timthy 1:8b-10
Matthew 17:1-9
February 22, 2026
Abram, who will become known as Abraham, is a model of faith to us.
God speaks to Abraham for the first time in the Bible, “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.”
Does Abraham object? Does he give all the reasons he might have to say no?
No, Abraham does not object.
Does he ask questions, starting with where is this land to which God wants him to go?
No.
God assures Abraham that He will bless him. He will make of him “a great nation.” He will make Abraham’s name great among his people.
This is enough for Abram. “Abram went as the LORD directed him.”
Abraham allowed God to take the lead.
Do you allow God to take the lead in your life? Since you are reading this, I assume you desire God to be part of your life. However, I didn’t ask if you want God to be part of your life. I asked if you allow God to take the lead in your life.
Jesus attracted many followers. Among them were Peter, James, and John. After Jesus gave Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 16:13-20), “Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.”
Why did Jesus do this?
Jesus knew they had come to know him as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus also knew the struggles that laid ahead for his disciples. He knew it would shake their faith. He had seen this when He told his disciples for the first time of how He would suffer (Matthew 16:21-23) and Peter rebuked Jesus. He knew they would struggle to deny themselves, to take up their crosses, and follow him (see Matthew 16:24-28).
He knew they would need spiritual sight made pure so they may rejoice and behold his glory (see Collect, aka opening prayer, for today’s Mass).
So, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain to allow them to see His Glory. There they saw him “transfigured before them.” “His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” They saw Jesus in his glory as all who follow Jesus will see him in Heaven.
Imagine what it would have been like to be Peter, James, or John at this moment. It was a profound moment of grace, grace that could transform them, a life-changing moment.
And there was more…Moses and Elijah appeared and conversed with Jesus.
Why?
Moses’ presence signified that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law. Elijah’s presence serves as confirmation that Jesus is the fulfillment of all that the prophets had said of the coming Messiah. Jesus is the Messiah. We place our trust in him.
And there was still more…the voice that came from the cloud, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to him.” The Father himself assures Peter, James, and John that Jesus is the Messiah.
Imagine the grace in that moment. Peter, James, and John “fell prostrate and were very much afraid.” They knew God was speaking to them.
Does knowing who Jesus is transform you?
Are you willing to “bear your share of hardship for the gospel.” You do not have to do it alone. You can do it “with the strength that comes from God” for God has called us all to a holy life.
To live a holy life is not a matter of life according to our works or plan. If we want to be holy, we need to die to the things and ways of this world to rise to the things of Heaven and the way of Jesus.
We may struggle to trust others. We can trust God. God is the one who is upright, love justice, and is kind. It is our Lord who delivers us from death. It is the Lord who preserves us in the midst of our struggles.
What are you holding back on? What part of your life are you not giving to our Lord?
It is time to give your whole life to Jesus. Lent is the perfect time to take this step. We can place our trust in him.