Sunday Reflections - SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT – YEAR A

LIGHT FOR THE LIVING

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT – YEAR A

(Genesis 12:1–4; 2 Timothy 1:8–10; Matthew 17:1–9)

My beloved in Christ,

In a peaceful village in Ahiazu LGA of Imo State, there once lived a trader called Mama Ugochi. Mama Ugochi loved comfort. Her stall in the market had stood in the same spot for twenty-five years. One day, the village council announced that the market would be relocated to a new site closer to the main road.

Everyone began preparing to move. But Mama Ugochi folded her arms and said,
“My customers know where to find me. If they want pepper, they will trek.”

Weeks passed. The new market flourished. Cars stopped there. Buyers increased. Mama Ugochi’s old corner became lonely except for goats and dust.

Finally, her son told her gently,
“Mama, blessing does not visit those who refuse to move.”

Reluctantly, she packed her goods and followed the others. Within days, business multiplied beyond her expectation. Smiling shyly, she admitted,
“Sometimes God relocates us to bless us.”


Abraham: Leave and Be Blessed

That village lesson reflects today’s First Reading. God said to Abraham:

“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.”
(Genesis 12:1)

Abraham was not given a map. He was given a promise:

“I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you… All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you.”
(Genesis 12:2–3)

And Scripture simply states:

“Abram went as the Lord directed him.”
(Genesis 12:4)

Blessing followed obedience.


The Mountain of Transfiguration: Listen to Him

In the Gospel, Jesus Christ takes Peter, James, and John up the mountain. There He is transfigured before them:

“His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.”
(Matthew 17:2)

Overwhelmed, Peter wants to build tents and remain there. But a voice from the cloud declares:

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
(Matthew 17:5)

The instruction is simple but demanding: Listen to Him.

Listening means trust. Listening means movement. Listening means abandoning our own fixed plans to follow God’s guidance.


Journeying as Sons and Daughters

Saint Paul encourages Timothy:

“Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.”
(2 Timothy 1:8)

The journey of faith is not comfort alone; it includes sacrifice. To be called son or daughter of God, one must journey with Him—leaving behind self-will and embracing divine direction.


Blessed to Be a Blessing

Back in Ahiazu, Mama Ugochi discovered that staying comfortable almost cost her growth. In the same way, spiritual stagnation deprives us of blessing.

Do you want to be blessed and be a source of blessing? Then listen. Move when God says move. Let go when God says let go.


Sunday Reflection

My beloved,
Do you want to be blessed and be a source of blessing to all who come in contact with you? If yes, then listen to the voice of God as Abraham did and as the apostles were instructed at the transfiguration of the Lord.

It is only then you can be referred to as son or daughter, since you must have journeyed with God by abandoning yourself and your dreams and following God’s guidance.

May God help us to listen to Him in our journey of faith.

May God bless you.

Happy Sunday and Happy New Month.

Rev. Fr. Chinedu Ibearugbulem, C.S.Sp

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FOUNDATIONS OF CHEMISTRY FOR YOUNG STARS

Image
  ⚗️ Lesson 1: The Story of the Atom How Mama Ekaette Discovered the Mystery of Matter A Light for the Living Science Tale from Cross River State Series: Light for the Living – Chemistry for Young Stars 🖼️ Suggested Blog Banner Image 📷 A bright, playful banner showing a market woman frying akara under a tree, with faint glowing atoms swirling in the air. If you’re sourcing free images, search: “African woman frying bean cakes” + “cartoon atom illustration overlay” Use a tool like Canva or Pixlr to overlay the words: 🌿 Light for the Living – Chemistry for Young Stars Lesson 1: The Story of the Atom 🌿 Scene: Okurikang Village, Cross River State The market buzzed like a happy beehive. Mama Ekaette, the village akara champion, stood beside her sizzling frying pan, shouting: “Akara hot! Come and buy akara that can wake your ancestors!” Across the road, Okon , a curious JSS2 student from Hope Secondary School, was watching with his schoolbag hanging like a tir...
Read more

Family Teaching Manual - Message 7: The Strong Man in God’s Design — Balancing Love, Obedience, and Family Duty

  Message 7 The Strong Man in God’s Design — Balancing Love, Obedience, and Family Duty Key Texts   Joshua 1:7–9; Ephesians 5:25–28; 1 Timothy 5:8; Micah 6:8; Proverbs 20:7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:7 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her.” — Ephesians 5:25 “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” — 1 Timothy 5:8 “The righteous man walks in his integrity; blessed are his children after him.” — Proverbs 20:7   Introduction In today’s world, the idea of a strong man is often confused with a controlling man . Society measures strength by how loud, wealthy, or dominant a man is. But God’s Word defines strength differently — not by muscle ...
Read more

Family Teaching Manual - Message 6: Dealing with Obstinate and Abusive Behaviour in Marriage — The Biblical Way

  Message 6 Dealing with Obstinate and Abusive Behaviour in Marriage — The Biblical Way Key Texts   Proverbs 15:1; Romans 12:18; Ephesians 5:28–33; 1 Corinthians 7:15; Colossians 3:19 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” — Romans 12:18 “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” — Colossians 3:19 “If the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called us to peace.” — 1 Corinthians 7:15 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1   Introduction Marriage is meant to be a refuge of peace and mutual support , not a battlefield of pain. Yet, many Christian homes today experience obstinacy, verbal abuse, and even physical assault — often hidden behind closed doors and misinterpreted under the phrase “God hates divorce, so endure.” Yes, God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), but He also hates violence , ...
Read more