Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
2 Tim 1:8b-10
Mt 17:1-9
The central theme of today’s readings is transformation - a concept that feels more urgent than ever in a world that often feels fractured and unstable. As we navigate the complexities of 2026, we are invited to partner with the Holy Spirit to move beyond mere survival and into a life that radiates the light of Christ to a world that desperately needs it.
In the First Reading, we witness the radical pivot of Abram. God invited him to leave his comfort zone and enter a future he couldn't see. By trusting God, his very identity was rewritten from Abram to Abraham. Today, many of us feel a similar call to leave behind the "old ways" of living - perhaps moving away from the cynicism and polarization that define our current national climate. Abraham’s story proves that when we respond to God’s call with courage, he can transform our lives in ways that exceed our expectations.
The Second Reading from St. Paul’s letter to Timothy acknowledges that transformation is often forged in the fire. In our current situation when facing economic pressures, global tensions, and the exhaustion of a fast-paced digital age, it is tempting to see our struggles as evidence of God's absence. However, Paul encourages us to see the hand of a loving God precisely within those hardships. Instead of burning out, we are called to lean into a grace that offers strength to grow even when the path is steep.
The Gospel brings us to the Transfiguration, a moment where the veil is pulled back and Jesus’ true glory is revealed. This wasn't just a mountain-top "high"; it was a strategic reassurance for the disciples before they faced the darkness of the Passion. Today, we need the same vision. When we see conflict or a devaluing of human dignity, the Transfiguration reminds us that the light of Christ is the ultimate reality. It prepares us to face modern challenges not with despair, but with a confidence rooted in who Jesus truly is.
This season of Lent is a sacred training ground for this change. It is a time to let God’s power work within us so that we can be agents of change in our communities:
• Be open to God’s call, even if it requires stepping away from your political or social "tribes" to seek common ground.
• Look at the current national and personal challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities to grow in resilience and faith.
• In an age of constant notifications and noise, spend time listening to Jesus in prayer. Let His peace become your baseline.
• May the internal changes God is making in you become visible to others through tangible acts of kindness, radical forgiveness, and a commitment to justice for the marginalized.